Nawaz Sharif promises 'revolution' in Pakistan

Former premier Nawaz Sharif on Saturday vowed to make Pakistan an economic power and usher in a revolution if his Pakistan Muslim League party is voted to power in the next general election.

"My team will bring about a revolution in Pakistan," he said while addressing a rally at Gujranwala in Punjab province that was attended by thousands of his supporters.

He contended that the PML-N would come to power again to serve the people and to make the country an economic force to be reckoned with.

"People should support the PML-N and in return we will make Pakistan an economic power that can stand on its own feet," he said.

At the same time, he attacked the Pakistan People's Party-led government for failing to address the people's problems and control the rising prices of gas and electricity.

The PML-N, he said, will build small dams and set up thermal power plants to overcome the country's energy crisis.

The PML-N has prepared an "agenda for change" and the opposition will not allow the government to make any more increases in the price of gas and power, he said.

Sharif's rally was the latest in a string of political meetings organised by parties against the backdrop of the increasing unpopularity of President Asif Ali Zardari and the Pakistan People's Party-led government.

The government has struggled to come to grips with a series of diplomatic and political crises, including the controversy over an alleged memo that sought United States's help to prevent a military coup in Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden in May.

Sharif said that at a time of crippling shortages of gas and electricity, people's lives have been made miserable by unemployment and rising prices.

State-run firms like Pakistan International Airlines, the railways and Pakistan Steel Mills are on the verge of collapse, he said.

Pakistan has also been isolated on the international stage and corruption was at an all-time high, he contended.

The domestic political situation has been compounded by the government's failure to implement the orders of the Supreme Court, he said.

"No compromise will be made in matters that affect national honour," he added.