On Saturday, Nawaz Sharif accused PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned, of betraying him in 2013 by organizing protest rallies despite initially promising to cooperate after the elections.
Speaking at a PML-N Central Working Committee meeting in Lahore, Nawaz recalled that after taking office in 2013, he visited Imran in Banigala to establish a collaborative working relationship. However, Imran later went to London with other political figures, and upon his return, launched protests in Pakistan, contrary to their earlier understanding.
Nawaz expressed his confusion over these actions, suggesting that Imran should have communicated any concerns directly instead of starting protests. He noted that his government refrained from using police force against the protests and still managed to secure significant projects like the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He also highlighted that his government did not obstruct the formation of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2013 elections, even though they could have done so through a coalition.
Nawaz criticized the judicial disqualification that removed him from office over a minor issue, questioning why such actions occur in Pakistan when judges in other countries do not have the power to remove prime ministers. He called for accountability for those who, in his view, have harmed Pakistan.
He praised the economic achievements of his past governments and urged the nation to consider the performance of political parties before voting. Nawaz concluded by commending PML-N leaders for their resilience and predicting a positive turnaround for the country under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership.
Shehbaz, who had recently stepped down from the party presidency in favor of Nawaz, also spoke, expressing confidence in Nawaz’s leadership and listing his brother’s accomplishments. The PML-N’s Central Working Committee accepted Shehbaz’s resignation and nominated him as acting president until Nawaz is formally re-elected.
