Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, newly elected President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accused Imran Khan of relying on military support for his political rise.
Sharif was elected unopposed as party president today, the anniversary of Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests during the PML-N’s second term.
“Imran Khan started his politics on the army’s shoulders. I approached him for collaboration, and he agreed but then planned protests from London with a general, a cleric from Canada, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, and others. Protests began, and I was asked to resign. I said, do whatever you want; Nawaz Sharif never resigns,” Sharif said at the party’s general council meeting.
Sharif quoted former ISI chief General (retd) Zaheerul Islam: “We tried different parties and allowed a third force, which we thought could deliver, and that force appeared in PTI. Imran Khan should clarify: If he was not the third force, then who was?”
“If you were not the third force, I promise to retire from politics. Your politics and the ousting of our government were founded with their help. You derailed democracy at their behest. During PTI’s protests in Islamabad, it was said Nawaz Sharif would be dragged out from the PM House with a rope around his neck. This was the umpire’s finger that Imran Khan frequently referred to.”
Sharif urged Khan to answer these questions before engaging in dialogue with the government. “We are off May 28, not May 9. When Bill Clinton offered $5 billion to avoid nuclear tests, we refused and rejected the offer.”
Sharif criticized former chief justice Saqib Nisar’s decision, calling it “trash.”
“Saqib Nisar removed me from the party presidency for life. Today, people have thrown his decision into the dustbin. Summon those who declared that Nawaz Sharif would be permanently removed, yet here I stand again,” he said.
Sharif questioned the verdict against him, citing, “What was the decision against me? Not taking a salary from my son? I did not take a salary from my son or ask for one from your son either.”
Addressing attempts to create rifts between him and his brother, Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz said, “They tried to drive wedges between Shehbaz and me. Kudos to Shehbaz for not bowing or selling out and standing by his brother. I am proud of him. Shehbaz was told to abandon Nawaz Sharif and become the prime minister, but he refused, saying he would reject any premiership that required his brother’s betrayal. He even went to jail but never wavered.”
Nawaz Sharif also praised his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and his nephew, Hamza Shehbaz, for their resilience. “Maryam endured imprisonment and kept the party active. Hamza faced jail bravely and did not falter. I saw them being taken away in handcuffs. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also shared my imprisonment and did not complain.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Sharif stated, “In 1990, when I formed the government and became prime minister, had there been no interference, poverty and unemployment would be unheard of today. Compare the prices of goods in 2017 to now.”
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