——- Vows to make Pakistan ‘Asian tiger’ despite challenges
——- Repeats unfairly removed from power and victimised
——- Asserts need to move on, leaving behind bitterness of past
By Abid Usman
LAHORE: Nawaz Sharif, the supreme leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has stated that had his government not been ousted, the country would presently be on a trajectory of progress, asserting that “fraudsters” should not be allowed to return to power as they have disgraced Pakistan.
“If my government had not been removed, no youth in the entire country would be unemployed. Everyone would have dignified employment. I say this with confidence and assert that had Nawaz Sharif’s tenure continued, there would be no unemployment in Pakistan,” he said while addressing a rally in Kasur on the last day of election campaigns across the country.
The former prime minister outlined plans for Pakistan’s future, including providing solar panels to farmers, laptops to the youth, and vocational training alongside employment opportunities.
He criticised the PTI government’s failures, alleging promises of millions of houses, jobs, and dams that never materialised, leading to enormous losses for Pakistan.
“We have faced many setbacks, but we must overcome these hurdles and challenges, then join the race of progress, and become Asian tiger again. This enthusiasm will bring about a revolution in Pakistan and change its destiny,” he added.
Nawaz said that Pakistan was on the path of progress under his leadership. “During my tenure, Pakistan experienced prosperity. We were busy ending load-shedding, constructing motorways, providing cheap gas and electricity to the people. We were busy eradicating terrorism and facilitating farmers. Meanwhile, they (PTI) were busy in staging sit-ins,” he added.
“In our time, a tractor could be purchased for 800,000 rupees, and today it costs 3.8 million rupees. So, whose era was better?”
“While the elections are scheduled for the 8th, today feels like a celebration. The youth are present in large numbers, symbolising the nation’s strength. Even those with white beards are young. We are all youthful,” he concluded.
Senior Vice President of PML-N Maryam Nawaz said that she is ready to “move on” for the country, urging the youth of PTI to bury the hatchet of hatred in politics.
She highlighted the victimisation of Nawaz Sharif and herself, stating, “We faced mudslinging, but when decisions were made against them [PTI leadership], we did not criticise them.”
“I lost my mother in this struggle, who will never return. I testify to the people that I am ready to move on. I convey a message to the youth of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf who are languishing in jails, bury the politics of hatred.”
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, speaking on the occasion, remarked that while Nawaz Sharif has been ousted from power three times, he has never called any army chief Mir Jafar or Mir Sadiq.
Shehbaz asserted that Nawaz Sharif is the one who has undertaken developmental projects across Pakistan, stating, “Nawaz Sharif, upon being elected as prime minister for the fourth time on February 8, will alleviate the people’s difficulties.”
He further remarked on the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh, stating that despite their claims to transform Karachi into Lahore, they have failed to undertake developmental work in Karachi. He quipped, “Some promise to turn Karachi into Lahore, what else is left to say!”
