There were no political prisoners during PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s stint as the country’s PM: Shehbaz

 

 

MANDI BAHAUDDIN/LAHORE, Jan 25 (SABAH): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif took a jibe at Bilawal Bhutto Zardari without naming him, saying that someone said they would release the political prisoners if they come into power.

“I suggest them to announce the abolition of personal prisons as well,” Shehbaz Sharif said in his address to a rally in Mandi Bahauddin, adding that his brother Nawaz Sharif would establish a modern university in the city if he is given a chance.

Shehbaz Sharif, in a veiled response to the PPP leadership, stated that there were no political prisoners during PML-N supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif’s stint as the country’s prime minister.

Shehbaz Sharif said that those making announcements about the release of political prisoners upon coming into power should first eliminate private prisons in their own areas. “Many families have been kept in these prisons, and there is no one to listen to their grievances.”

The former prime minister recalled that when Nawaz Sharif was elected into power by the nation in 2013, a conspiracy was hatched against his government.

“Everyone knows who staged the long march and who facilitated it,” he said, adding that the nation had not yet forgotten this heart-wrenching episode.

“This long march was initiated on August 14, 2014, against Pakistan and Nawaz Sharif, who was set to bring huge investment to the country. As a result, the Chinese president, who was due in Pakistan in September 2014, had to cancel his visit.”

The PML-N president said that the enemies of Pakistan could not digest the progress of the country and overthrew the government of Nawaz Sharif. The violent riots of May 9 demonstrated the same enmity with Pakistan, he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Nawaz Sharif had laid a huge network of roads across the country, generated 10,000-MW electricity from the resources available within the country, but unfortunately, he was deposed under a conspiracy in 2017.

Shehbaz also mentioned that when the PTI founder used to say that the PML-N had been bribing the youth by giving away laptops, he would respond that they could not offer Kalashnikovs to the youth instead of laptops.

Meanwhile PML-N Senior Vice President and Party’s Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said she was punished for supporting his father Nawaz Sharif, but didn’t even think about the consequences and stood by him, as she visited the Singpura locality of Lahore which falls under NA-119 from where she is contesting the Feb 8 elections.

“You had elected Nawaz Sharif thrice for five years each, but he was removed under one excuse or the other,” she told a charged crowd and said the short period he spent in government saw massive development across Pakistan.

Without naming PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Maryam Nawaz said a political leader was currently visiting Punjab and claiming that Nawaz had announced his manifesto without showing his own performance. “He doesn’t want to share any manifesto at a press conference. His work speaks for itself,” she said while pointing to the Orange Line passing over the road.

“I am not one of those who need a piece of paper to understand what problems a particular area is facing,” Maryam said, adding that she had complete information about the people and their challenges.

“Vote isn’t just a paper,” she said. “The ballot will decide about not only your future but also of the generations to come.”

“We aren’t going anywhere. Maryam isn’t going to any other country. She and her children will stay here,” the political scion of elder Sharif vowed and urged the people to come out of their homes to exercise their right to vote on Feb 8.

Maryam said she had selected the same area for the 2018 elections, but was barred from participating in the exercise after being disqualified.

Maryam Nawaz said that the parties with empty rhetoric are resorting to the blame game. “Other parties criticise and level allegations day and night,” the politician added.

Maryam also said that some parties in Punjab have ruled the province for 15 years but they don’t even have 15 developmental projects that they can mention as their service to the masses.

“A person [present] in Punjab is saying that Nawaz Sharif hasn’t given the [party] manifesto. Nawaz Sharif will give the manifesto in the next few days,” she added.

The PML-N stalwart further said that she’s aware that she has to serve the people of the constituency.

The politician then promised the masses that she’ll have an active office in the constituency after she wins the elections, to resolve the people’s issues and complaints. Maryam Nawaz urged the people to think carefully before giving their vote as the vote decides the future of Pakistan.