—— Questions sincerity of Imran’s revolution
By Abid Usman
LAHORE: Former Prime Minister and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has said that had the PTI used the bat to play an innings for the progress and prosperity of the country, today’s state of national affairs and the condition of the people of Pakistan would have been totally different.
In a recent interview with a private news channel, he highlighted the missed opportunities by the PTI government, emphasising that a different trajectory could have been set for the country’s progress and prosperity. He pointed out that the Election Commission had issued notices to the PTI in 2021 when it was in power, not the PML-N. Therefore, the consequences of the notice are solely legal, and the PTI has no one else to blame for this matter.
Discussing the serious cases leading to Imran Khan’s incarceration, Shehbaz stated, “Imran is behind bars as a result of serious cases like the May 9 treason and £190 million, which was deposited elsewhere instead of the national treasury. This is purely a matter of law rather than anything else.”
Highlighting the economic challenges, Shehbaz criticised the PTI government’s decisions, citing a ruined economy marked by inflation reaching unprecedented levels. He pointed out the damaged diplomatic ties and torn treaties with the IMF as further consequences of the PTI reign.
Shehbaz expressed optimism about the PML-N’s performance in the upcoming elections, saying: “Recent polls show the PML-N making significant gains, indicating that the party is peaking at the right time. All surveys suggest that Nawaz Sharif will lead the country.”
Speaking on the challenges faced by the common man, he said: “The elite can seek the best treatment abroad, but today, the common man is petrified even thinking about the cost of medical treatment, medicines, education and employment.”
He recalled the times in 2013 when Nawaz provided free treatment, medicines, and education for the poor.
Addressing the ousting of Nawaz’s government, Shehbaz acknowledged that the then chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar’s role but emphasised Nawaz’s response, stating: “Nawaz Sharif is not just a politician; he is a statesman.”
Discussing the potential of Pakistan’s youth, Shehbaz urged the younger generation to prioritise education, emphasising that the future lies in IT, and the youth are the country’s biggest asset.
Concluding the interview, he reiterated the PML-N’s commitment to public service, stating: “Punjab is the largest province and the stronghold of the PML-N; the people of Punjab and Pakistan trust the PML-N to deliver because of our public service.” PML-N Senior Vice President and Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz has vowed to end inflation and resume development work if her party is voted to power during the general elections on Feb 8.
While addressing the party workers at the beginning of the election campaign in the PP-159 constituency, Maryam said that the infiltrators occupied Lahore for the last five years and did not carry out a single development work, but the mark of service left by her party was there.
“On Feb 8, the infiltrators have to be thrown out of Lahore. The more seals are placed on the tiger, the faster the development work will be and inflation will end,” Maryam said.
Parvez Rasheed, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Rana Mubasher Iqbal and others were also present.
Maryam was warmly welcomed on her arrival in the constituency.
Maryam said that she would serve the people day and night if they made tiger victorious in the general elections.
“You can see that the metro bus is passing somewhere and the speedo bus is passing somewhere. You will see the signs of service of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif and the tiger.”
She said, “You made Rana Mubasher successful by voting for him repeatedly. He is the silent mujahid of Nawaz Sharif. He is standing in the constituency today because he has served you day and night for five years.”
The PML-N SVP said in five years, the wheel of development did not move forward, accusing the then chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar of stopping the Orange Line project for one-and-a-half years.
She said after the departure of PML-N, there was no development work here and Lahore became abandoned.
“There is no one to pick up the garbage here. These infiltrators have to be thrown out of Lahore on Feb 8, as they have only filled their pockets and did no work.”
The chief organiser said after Feb 8, the journey of development would resume from where it had stopped and the destiny of Punjab and Pakistan, including this constituency, would be changed.
