Ousted prime minister, Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that the people have rejected the politics of opposition parties and alluding to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, said the party has always indulged in politics of allegations. He claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will emerge victorious in upcoming general elections.
Firing broadside at all his opponents, Nawaz Sharif said that all those who abuse each other, gathered on one platform only to conspire against him. "Where was the politics, diplomacy then," Nawaz questioned the opposition parties while addressing a party gathering in Haripur. He said political rivals were united in Lahore on the one-point agenda; which was to target Nawaz Sharif. "Not a single chair is empty here in Haripur," he said adding that the rally was public referendum.
Nawaz Sharif said he served the people all his life and was disqualified over Iqama (work permit). Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Nawaz said Imran Khan was criticizing not the parliament but also disrespecting the lawmakers. "He will go to jail himself," the PML-N chief said referring to Imran Khan. Criticising PTI further, the former prime minister asked what has the party done for the province of KP and it was the PML-N which constructed a motorway through the province to improve the standard of living for the region's people.
"Did you see their show three days back? Their politics have been rejected by the people," said Nawaz referring to the opposition's joint rally in Lahore's Mall road area. Referring to PTI chairman Imran Khan cursing the parliament, Nawaz said, "He curses the same assembly for which he contests elections and draws a salary from". He added that "the man abused and accused everyone when he cursed the parliament".
In a sarcastic tone, the former premier said he salutes the people who declared Imran Khan 'Sadiq' and 'Ameen'. He added he [Imran] had admitted to owning an offshore company and other offences, but was still let off by the judges. He further maintained that Imran had vowed to bring a number of changes to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but had failed to fulfill any of his promises. Referring to his disqualification, the former prime minister said justice should not be biased and should be the same for all. "The scales of justice should be even for all." He also said the sanctity of the vote should be respected and the choice of the people should be respected by all.
During the rally, he also promised the people that his government would provide free housing if his party returns to power following the 2018 polls. Announcing his latest initiative, Nawaz said he will ensure that the poor have "a roof over their head". Elaborating further, the PML-N president also said there will be a scheme which will benefit those who reside in rented premises.
"The rent salaried individuals pay for their residence will be taken as instalment for their house and not as rent," The former prime minister did not give any further details of his latest electoral promise. Taking a jibe at opposition parties and referring to the grand protest, during the rally, the former premier Nawaz Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz said, "Do not cry over your defeat in the general elections this year, because empty chairs are unable to give votes." She said the entire team of conspirators was failed to take out the masses in a recently held protest in Lahore.
"What the opponents make you to recall," she posed a question towards the crowd. "They remind us their hue and cry over their failure to garner support from the masses," she said in response. In a fiery speech on Lahore's famed Mall Road, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan had cursed the parliament in the multi-party opposition protest which Maryam thinks is equivalent to cursing the people of Pakistan. "Cursing the parliament is actually cursing the people who voted for it," said Maryam.
In a clear reference to Imran Khan, she said, "Our opponents could not do anything to hold early elections, our opponents could get Nawaz Sharif's resignation and even to disqualify him, they had to see at some other direction." "Despite hatching several conspiracies against Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz, the people of Pakistan always elected Nawaz as their leader." Maryam said, "When the opponents [Imran Khan] were on his container, Nawaz was working on CPEC."
"Why defeat should not be your fate, for what you have done in the last 4 years," asked Maryam while criticising the PTI chief. Maryam Nawaz said that the people of Pakistan have always voted heavily for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in every election. She said that battalion of conspirers faced humiliating defeat during Mall Road protest. Enumerating countrywide projects, Maryam said a triumph of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is certain for undertaking number of development projects.
Without citing an opponent's name, she said: "In last four years when you were busy in raging against institutions, while Nawaz Sharif was taking on development schemes." The revenge of abortive conspiracies was taken by using foul language and cursing the parliament, she underlined. "Will you take a revenge of Sharif's ouster after casting your vote for him?" she asked while appearing optimistic for upcoming general elections. Moreover, she said the opposition parties are making efforts to skip the elections to evade a defeat.