Nawaz Sharif: Pakistan Would Have Progressed Had He Not Been Repeatedly Removed from Office
By Web Desk – May 28, 2024
PML-N Elects Nawaz Sharif as Leader Again After Six Years
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has once again elected Nawaz Sharif as its president, six years after a court ruling removed him from office.
Nawaz Sharif, who lost his position as prime minister in 2017 and the presidency of his party in 2018 due to the Panama Papers ruling, has been re-elected unopposed. Speaking at the party’s General Council Meeting in Lahore, Nawaz emphasized that Pakistan would have progressed significantly if his governments had not been repeatedly toppled.
Addressing his supporters, Nawaz urged them to celebrate his re-election, acknowledging past mistakes by saying, “We should accept that we have shot ourselves in the foot.” He expressed that Pakistan would have held a unique and powerful position in Asia if his administration’s progress had not been interrupted.
Nawaz criticized the long-standing practice of “leg pulling” since 1977, which he believes has weakened the country. He insisted, “We have never gone to anyone with a begging bowl,” and stated he would not have complained if he had been removed for corruption.
Panama Papers Ruling Criticized
During his speech, Nawaz denounced the Panama Papers ruling by former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, which removed him from the party presidency, calling it a decision now “thrown into the waste basket.” He challenged Nisar to see the result of his decision, asserting that a few individuals had undermined the people’s mandate by ousting him.
Nawaz praised his party members for their unwavering support and resilience during difficult times, particularly commending his brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for standing by him. Nawaz highlighted Shehbaz’s rejection of offers to create a rift between them by taking the prime minister’s post.
He also congratulated his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, for her efforts in keeping the party active. Turning his attention to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Nawaz questioned the legitimacy of the cases against him and accused Imran of playing a role in toppling his government and derailing democracy in 2017.
Shehbaz Sharif on Nawaz’s Leadership
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his confidence in Nawaz’s leadership, stating that Nawaz’s guidance is essential for Pakistan to overcome its current crises. Shehbaz, who recently stepped down as PML-N president to make way for Nawaz, believes that with Nawaz at the helm, Pakistan can return to the prosperous state it was in 2017.
Shehbaz criticized the judiciary and alleged that certain “black sheep” within it were supporting Imran Khan. He compared Nawaz’s treatment during his trials to the leniency shown to Imran, denouncing Imran’s conspiracies and campaigns against the families of army personnel.
PML-N Punjab chapter president Rana Sanaullah echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of reinstating Nawaz as president now that the cases against him have been quashed. He described Nawaz’s 2017 disqualification as part of a conspiracy, noting that the fake cases against him have now reached their conclusion.
