- Says people have given verdict against SC decision in ‘public referendum’
- PML-N chief says he is an ‘ideology’ which will bring revolutionary changes
ABBOTTABAD: Deposed prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif kicked off his party’s mass-contact campaign ahead of 2018 general elections on Sunday and said that no decision of the court can weaken his relationship with the masses.
While addressing a rally in Abbottabad, he lauded his supporters and said that a large number of people gathered in the rally, and their support, proved that no decision of the court can separate him and the people. He added that the people expressed same support for him in the 2013 general elections.
Sharif, who faces corruption cases along with his children, asked for public support to challenge the top court’s decision in Panama Papers case, saying “I have come to you (the people of Abbottabad) with a request to reconsider my case.” The ousted PM, who leads the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) added, “This gathering is a referendum.”
It is being widely perceived among political circles that Nawaz Sharif seeks reversal of SC verdict against his disqualification through massive public support, and the latest string of mass contact with people is part of the plan.
During the Sunday’s gathering in the key city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sharif also asked for help to “restore the sanctity of the vote,” adding that if they supported him (Nawaz Sharif), everything would be changed for good.
“Nawaz Sharif is not a loser. If he was a loser, you and I would not be friends,” he told the crowd and asked, “Will you support me in this struggle?”
“If someone thinks I will be defeated, then they are wrong,” Nawaz Sharif said and added that he is not going to be defeated here.
“Sit-ins were staged as soon as I assumed responsibilities as the premier,” he said and added that, however, his party-led government continued with the development work.
He said that later, the Panama ‘drama’ was staged. “If I were a dictator, I would have disintegrated from you and left, but I promise to not leave you and I hope that the people gathered here won’t leave me either,” he added.
Nawaz also recalled developments made by his government since 2013, including infrastructural and power projects. The Haripur Motorway to Havelian will be completed shortly, he added. “I may not be a prime minister anymore, but the motorway will continue being built,” he informed.
He further stated that people speak of a ‘minus-Nawaz Sharif formula, but Nawaz Sharif is an ideology and this ideology will bring revolutionary change across Pakistan.
The ousted premier claimed that not a single penny’s worth of corruption had been proved against him or his family members. “When all efforts to do so were unsuccessful, the SC said that I did not take a salary from my son, so I was disqualified,” he said.
He also severely criticised the apex court, which he claimed had no qualms about taking an oath from former president Pervez Musharraf. “That’s why the caravan keeps getting looted,” he said, referring to a small quotation in the SC order on the judgement, “And democracy kept going off the rails.”
“Lots of games like this have been played time and time again,” he warned, adding, “Everyone is awake and they will take account of each and everything.” Nawaz Sharif also hinted at holding a countrywide long march.
Earlier in the day, Sharif reached Islamabad from Lahore in an extensive protocol from where he departed for Murree via a private flight. He held a meeting with the party ally Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who heads Balochistan-based Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), within the airport premises before leaving for Murree.
The duo discussed the ongoing political situation in the country, according to PML-N sources.