LAHORE: In an apparent reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif yesterday questioned why Pakistan was punished by imposing ladla (darling) on them after his removal from power in 2017.

“Your enmity was with Nawaz Sharif and you had put him in jail but why did you punish the people? Why the lives of labourers and farmers were made miserable,” he asked during his ‘address to the nation’.

The PML-N leader asserted that the cases against him were baseless, attributing his exoneration to divine intervention. The former prime minister stated that the recent court decisions in his favour exposed the falsehoods behind the cases. "Thanks to Allah, I have been vindicated. The court has acquitted me of all charges," he proclaimed.

Sharif revealed that he was ousted from the prime minister's office for not accepting salary from his son, adding that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was told to file three references against him. “I was called Sicilian mafia and Godfather. Today, all those involved in this evil play stand exposed,” he added.

"Everyone questioned what my fault was. The prayers of the people have always boosted my morale. Testimonies are emerging in my favour from unexpected places where I never anticipated.”

The former prime minister questioned why Pakistan, a nation he claimed had achieved freedom from IMF loans during his tenure, boasting a 6% growth rate, the eradication of load shedding, and a $50 billion investment through the CPEC project, now finds itself in a state of decline.

The PML-N leader responded to critics accusing him of merely painting a rosy picture, asserting, "I substantiate it through Allah's grace and benevolence. While circumstances may not always have been favourable, each time I concluded my term, the country was in an excellent state."

Nawaz said that he would truly be happy only when the miseries of the people end, when they are liberated from the shackles of inflation, when the youth find employment, and when the sick receive medicines. "You are the judge, and I hope you will deliver your verdict on February 8 and end your ordeals,” he concluded.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 15 2023

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