Nawaz says ready for 'decisive' struggle

LAHORE: Terming all the cases against the PML-N leaders as fraud, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif Thursday said that no one will respect Pakistan in the world, if the vote is not given respect. While addressing a convention of the PML-N parliamentarians and ticket-holders at the PML-N Secretariat at Model Town via video link from London, Nawaz said, "Cases against him, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others are fraud."

Expressing serious reservations over the state of affairs in the country, Nawaz said, "Everything had been destroyed and nothing was functional in every sector from agriculture and industries to government in Naya Pakistan."

He added that none of the promises made by PTI, including not seeking the IMF loan, had been fulfilled. He said that unprecedented devaluation in Pak rupee led to massive increase in foreign debt.

Nawaz told his party men that he did not need cowards who lacked the courage to stand up for the cause, asking them to leave the party if they are not ready to 'fight'. He made it clear that as a citizen of Pakistan he had the right to identify the root cause of all the problems faced by Pakistan and his recent speech at the APC was for the same purpose.

He said that he saluted the soldiers but not those individuals who did not respect the Constitution and opted for rigging in the general elections. He said the people of Pakistan would no more be treated like sheep and promised to make the country respectable in the comity of nations.

Terming rigging in general elections as the biggest crime, Nawaz said those who brought Imran into power will have to tell why they had done so. "You will have to answer. We will get the answer. Who should be held responsible for the current state of affairs, Imran Khan and those who brought him into power," Nawaz told the participants, who responded full throated slogans.

On the occasion, a clip of the recent interview of former FIA DG Bashir Memon was shown to the participants. Nawaz questioned the 'selectors' over the absence of the accountability of the PTI government. He also demanded 'receipts' from Imran Khan, Aleema Khan and Lt-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa(R).

He also narrated the story why he had to obtain Iqama for living in Saudi Arabia after he was sent into exile. About the issues like the Orange Line project, which has not been launched by the PTI government and the BRT Peshawar costing billions of rupees, Nawaz said no inquiry was being carried out on the PTI's corruption affairs. They had inducted the military persons in the JIT formed to investigate the Panama Papers case, he remarked.

The PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said on the occasion that they are entering into decisive phase of struggle and "solution of all ills facing to the country lies in giving respect to vote."

How Nawaz who made the country's defence invincible by conducting atomic explosions, constructed motorways, overcome the load shedding, defeated terrorism can be a traitor, she questioned?.

She said Nawaz's narrative has reached to every nook and corner of the country, no matter his speech is not telecast. She said Nawaz faced all atrocities and did not let down his workers. She said Nawaz suffered two heart attacks one at Adiala Jail and second under NAB custody.

The PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said the country's economy had been devastated in two years of present government. If situation arises, the PML-N legislators would tender en bloc resignations, then we would see how Senate elections are held, he said. He said the PML-N legislators and activists are committed with the party.

Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, who is the PML-N chairman, said they would overcome all the hurdles created in their way for a true democratic order.

PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said on the occasion that the country had to be run according to the Constitution, if we want progress.

The PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said Prime Minister Imran Khan is behind the arrest of Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif. "They (PTI) used the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the opposition and resorted to treason cases after failing to prove any allegation, what message have they given to India and Kashmiri people by registering treason case against the Azad Kashmir prime minister," she said.

She said the government has increased price of electricity by 83 paisa today and price of everyday use commodities has increased by 70 to 80 percent in last three months. She also blamed government for worsening economic situation of the country.

Marriyum slammed the government for banning the television broadcast of speeches by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. She said that the Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority's (PEMRA) notification to ban the broadcast of Nawaz on TV was "unconstitutional".

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020