Nawaz shows muscle in Haripur, tells Opp heads count

–PML-N holds massive gathering in response to joint Opp’s dismal protest in Lahore,

–Nawaz says large turnout shows people have rejected SC’s decision to throw him out of office

–Comes down hard on Imran Khan, says PTI chief ‘curses the same assembly that pays him salary’

–Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan should not blame rigging in the upcoming polls as ’empty chairs do not lie’

HARIPUR: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) organised a massive public gathering here on Saturday, giving its party chief Nawaz Sharif another opportunity to claim that the “people have rejected the Supreme Court’s judgement ousting him from the prime minister’s office”.

“Did you see their show three days ago? Their politics has been rejected by the people,” Nawaz told the mammoth crowd while  referring to the opposition’s joint rally in Lahore’s Mall road area on Jan 17.

Criticising the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Nawaz asked what had the party done for the province of KP where it was in power, highlighting that it was in fact the PML-N which constructed a motorway connecting the province with the Punjab to improve the standard of living for the people.

Referring to PTI Chairman Imran Khan cursing the parliament, Nawaz said: “he curses the same assembly for which he contests elections and draws a salary from.” He added that “the man abused and accused everyone when he cursed the parliament”.

“I salute those judges who termed him sadiq and ameen, said the deposed PM, adding that he [Imran] had admitted to owning an offshore company and other offences but was still let off by the judges.

“He will go to jail himself,” the PML-N chief said referring to Imran Khan.

Speaking of his disqualification, the former prime minister said justice should not be biased and should be the same for all. “The scales of justice should be even for all.”

He also said the sanctity of the vote should be respected and the choice of the people should not be “torn apart”.

During the rally, he also promised the people that his government would provide free housing if his party returns to power following the 2018 polls.

Announcing his latest initiative, Nawaz said he will ensure that the poor have “a roof over their head”. Elaborating further, the PML-N president also said there will be a scheme which will benefit those who reside in rented premises. “The rent salaried individuals pay for their residence will be taken as installment for their house and not as rent,” he said.

The former prime minister did not give any further details of his latest electoral promise.

‘EMPTY CHAIRS DO NOT LIE’:

Earlier, PML-N leader and daughter of Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz flayed the opposition and said, referring to Imran Khan, that he should not blame rigging in the upcoming polls as “empty chairs do not lie”.

“Those sitting on the stage in Model Town know what will become of them in the upcoming elections,” and added that the people defeated the “conspirators”.

Taking aim at Imran, Maryam further asked why would defeat not become his fate as he [Imran] has done nothing for his province during the last four years.

In a clear reference to Imran Khan, she said, “Our opponents could not do anything to hold early elections, our opponents could get Nawaz Sharif’s resignation and even to disqualify him, they had to see at some other direction.”

“Despite hatching several conspiracies against Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League –Nawaz, the people of Pakistan always elected Nawaz as their leader.”

Maryam said, “When the opponents [Imran Khan] were on his container, Nawaz was working on CPEC.”

“Why defeat should not be your fate, for what you have done in the last 4 years,” asked Maryam while criticising the PTI chief.

She also praised the people of the area for supporting the PML-N and asked them to continue doing so in the next general elections.