Nawaz Sharif says he had no intention of pursuing a politics of revenge
LAHORE, Oct 21 (SABAH): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif made a return to Lahore’s iconic Minar-e-Pakistan monument on Saturday, ending his four-year self-imposed exile in London.
Addressing the homecoming rally, Nawaz Sharif made it unequivocally clear that he had no intention of pursuing a politics of revenge.
In his opening remarks, Nawaz Sharif began with a poignant Urdu couplet, “KAHAN SE CHERUN FASANA KAHAN TAMAM KARUN,” symbolising his resilience despite enduring political suppression, exile, and imprisonment. He went on to highlight his achievements during his previous terms as prime minister, notably in eradicating power outages and reducing electricity tariffs.
While expressing his desire for reconciliation, Nawaz Sharif revealed that he still carried the weight of lingering sorrows, reminiscing about his late mother and wife. He fondly recalled how his return to Pakistan was always a joyous occasion, marked by the warm welcome of his late wife, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz.
However, Nawaz Sharif couldn’t help but lament the restrictions he faced during his imprisonment in Adiala Jail, especially the inability to make a phone call when his ailing wife was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in London.
The former prime minister emphasized his commitment to a principled and dignified politics that refrained from making derogatory statements. However, he inadvertently mentioned the name of his political adversary, Imran Khan, while comparing their respective tenures.
Nawaz Sharif also highlighted his unwavering stance on crucial national matters, notably his refusal to forego conducting nuclear tests despite external pressures. He pointed out that during his tenure, bread and petrol were affordable, priced at Rs4 and Rs60, respectively. He drew attention to the exchange rate of the US dollar, which surged beyond Rs250 in 2022, leading to a sharp increase in inflation.
Contrary to earlier reports suggesting that Nawaz Sharif’s address would primarily focus on economic performance and avoid criticism of those involved in his removal, the former prime minister couldn’t resist touching on the Panama verdict. He argued that this verdict had hindered Pakistan’s progress and development.
Nawaz Sharif underlined the instrumental role of his PML-N government in potentially securing Pakistan’s inclusion among the G-20 economies, stressing their commitment to serving the people and maintaining affordable prices for essential goods. He also reminded the crowd of the extensive motorway construction projects across Pakistan.
Drawing attention to staggering electricity bills in August 2022, Nawaz Sharif expressed regret over the exorbitant rates imposed on the people. He highlighted a specific case in which a consumer received a bill of Rs1,317 in May 2016, but the same individual faced a bill of Rs15,687 in August 2022 interestingly during the PDM government led by his brother Shehbaz Sharif.
In a touching moment, Nawaz Sharif recited two couplets by Iftikhar Arif and Mirza Ghalib, conveying the profound emotions he had endured for the nation. These couplets captured the essence of his commitment and sacrifice for Pakistan.
“MITTI KI MUHABBAT MEIN HUM ASHUFTA SARO NE…WHO QARZ UTARAY HAIN JO WAJIB BHI NAHE THAY.”
“GHALIB, HAMEIN NA CHAIR KE PHIR JOSHE ASHK SE…BETHAY HAIN HUM TAHIYYAE TUFAN KIYE HUAY.”
Nawaz Sharif, while calling himself a “son of the soil,” expressed his deep sorrow over the unfair treatment he had received despite his significant contributions to Pakistan. While highlighting the mistreatment he had endured, he reiterated his commitment to a politics free from revenge.
Nawaz Sharif also noted that, out of the last 23 years, he had only spent seven in Pakistan, enduring periods of exile and imprisonment for the remainder. He expressed the belief that if he had been able to serve continuously during those years, Pakistan might have prospered.
Nawaz Sharif emphasized the importance of cooperation with neighbouring countries in Pakistan’s foreign relations, as opposed to confrontations. Nawaz Sharif said that we have to move forward wisely and in dignified manner for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
He made a powerful statement by waving the flag of Palestine in solidarity with the Palestinian people, demanding an end to hostilities and aggression. Nawaz Sharif said that suppression going on against the Palestinians is suppression against the humanity, adding that we condemn it and reject it and appeal to the international community to act justly for resolution of Palestine issue and their right should be given back to them so that they could pass their life peacefully. He said that depriving the Palestinians from their right is a very bad thing, adding that we will never accept it, Pakistan will never accept it and Pakistani people will never accept it.
Nawaz Sharif stressed the significance of all state institutions adhering to the Constitution, as it serves as a cornerstone for Pakistan’s sustainability.
The former PM emphasized the pivotal lesson he’s learned throughout his four-decade political journey: unity among all stakeholders is indispensable for the prosperity of the country. He stressed that all state institutions should operate within the boundaries defined by the Constitution of Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif called for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute while upholding a standard of respect. In an indirect reference to India’s diplomatic tactics and potentially hidden motives regarding its Kashmir policy, he voiced his commitment to peace and expressed his disapproval of the “speaking praise on the face and stabbing from behind” approach.
While he refrained from directly implicating India, Nawaz Sharif highlighted the economic success Pakistan achieved during his tenure as prime minister, using the Karachi Green Line and Lahore Orange Train as testaments to that success.
Touching briefly on the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971, the former prime minister speculated that had the country remained united, both East and West Pakistan could have transformed into an economic corridor.
Nawaz Sharif urged his followers to refrain from engaging in mud-slinging against their political adversaries, emphasizing that his return to Pakistan was motivated by a desire to foster prosperity and avoid confrontation. He vowed to steer Pakistan toward becoming an IT powerhouse.
Concluding his address, Nawaz Sharif offered a brief prayer for Pakistan’s economic development, aiming to tackle unemployment and reduce inflation.
Moving on to skyrocketing inflation, the PML-N supremo said that roti was being sold at Rs4, sugar at Rs50 per kilogram and petrol at Rs60 per litre in his tenure. “US Dollar was at Rs104,” he said, adding that they did not let the local unit fall against the greenback.
“Was I disqualified and removed as the prime minister due to this?” asked Nawaz. Raising questions over his disqualification as prime minister, the PML-N leader asked the participants if they agreed with the ruling.
“I was ousted from the Prime Minister’s Office for not taking salary from my son,” he added.
The former premier claimed that there would have been no poverty and unemployment in the country if the work started in 1990 continued. Nawaz Sharif added: “I am addressing any political gathering after a gap of six years as I faced cases for two years.”
“I have come today with electricity bills from May 2016 during my tenure as PM when there were sit-ins but we were busy doing our work.”
“You know who was orchestrating the sit-ins? […] But we ensured the provision of electricity to your homes despite the sit-ins,” Nawaz said while commenting on sit-ins during his tenure.
Nawaz Sharif said no one in Pakistani would be unemployed if his party was allowed to continue the “1990s momentum”.
“I was ousted because I didn’t allow the dollar rate to fluctuate,” he said.
Nawaz lamented that due to the ongoing economic crisis, “one has to decide whether to pay electricity bills or take care of one’s children”. “People are committing suicide, and borrowing money to pay the bills.”
“[During my tenure] the poor had enough financial resources to [at least] to seek healthcare and get himself treated.”
“This didn’t start in Shehbaz’s tenure. it started way before that. The dollar was out of control, bills were going up, and rates of daily utilities and petrol were also surging.” “During our tenure sugar was 50 rupees per kilogram, today it is at 250.”
“This is why you ousted Nawaz Sharif?” the former prime minister said while criticising his disqualification in 2017.
“Pakistan was on its way to becoming an Asian tiger, we were preparing to ensure Pakistan’s inclusion in the G20.”
“A lot of countries which were trailing us are now leading us. We have been left behind. Not only do we have to catch up with those countries but in fact have to surpass them.” PML-N President Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Muhammad Saad Rafique, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Marriyum Aurangzeb and other leaders also addressed the participants of the mammoth public gathering.