ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday thanked the nation for supporting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in by-elections despite all the conspiracies, saying the show of support for his party is a sign of things to come.
Talking to media persons outside the accountability court, Nawaz Sharif said that PML-N has won Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seats.
“We received more votes than we expected,” he said.
“For the first time in Pakistan’s history, we are seeing such a result after a government has been in power for 50 to 60 days,” he added.
“Shahid Khaqan Abbasi emerged victor during the by-election and we even nearly won from the Rawalpindi constituency. The other seats were not ours and we still defeated PTI on them.”
“These results send out a message and are indicative of the times to come,” he elaborated.
The former premier said that PTI has failed to run the country in a smooth way.
Inflation has increased in the first 50 days of the incumbent government, he added.
“As prime minister and Punjab chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif and I fulfilled our responsibilities with honesty and this can be cross-checked,” said Nawaz.
“In the last four years, dollar did not exceed Rs104 but we have seen where the rate of dollar has gone in the last 50 days,” he added.
He said that the masses were happy during PML-N tenure, inflation was under control.
“During our time things were not this expensive and people were happy.”
“All of a sudden everything changed. I was imprisoned and cases are being made against me while Shehbaz has been imprisoned and remanded in National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) custody.”
“The world knows how cases are being made against Shehbaz and me and everyone has verified this,” Nawaz said.
“The way Saad Rafique is being treated it is as if he will be imprisoned tomorrow if not today.”
“Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and I are facing a treason case, but God willing these times will change,” he added.
PTI failed to retain three National Assembly constituencies in by-elections held on Sunday that it won in the July 25 polls, reflecting a possible resentment against the policies implemented by the party during its almost two months in power.
