Hailing the return of PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, after spending seven years in exile, people of Southern Punjab hoped that Sharifs would play a positive role in national politics. Muhammad Sarfraz Bashir, a university student, termed Nawaz Sharif the founder of atomic Pakistan. He was real opposition leader in the current scenario.
Ijaz Ahmed Iftikhar, a medical Rep, said that Nawaz Sharif could end the uncertainty prevailing in smaller provinces. He was of the view that only Nawaz could provide stable and true democracy to the country through his able leadership. He praised Nawaz and Shahbaz for their sacrifices to the cause of true democracy. Allah Nawaz Khan Durrani, a political activist, said the people could judge Nawaz Sharif's leadership qualities from his track records.
Motorway and nuclear explosions were his core achievements during his tenure as prime minister. The PML-Q government pursued most of his projects such as the Gwadar deep seaport project, Durrani added. Nawaz Sharif provided ownership rights to poor people through his "katchi abadi scheme," said Faisal Hassan, a shopkeeper.
Shoaib Akram, a student and political activist, said people still had strong reservations regarding Nawaz Sharif's exile. He should have faced the situation bravely after October 12 1999, instead of leaving Pakistan, Shoaib said.
M Shahid Wakeel, a businessman, said Nawaz Sharif had breached the trust of foreign investors when he ceased foreign accounts after the nuclear blast. He had also tried to strengthen himself through the 13th Amendment in the Constitution, Shahid contended.