Nawaz Sharif slams ‘gang of five’ for wrongfully punishing him

• Regrets he had spent more time in prisons, exile and trials than in power
• Commended invaluable contribution of Sialkot business community of Sialkot to national economy

SIALKOT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said he was wrongfully punished without any reason, slamming the judges who were involved in issuing verdicts against them.

“What was the need to conspire against us? What was the need for the judges to give a decision against us?” said Nawaz during a workers’ convention in Sialkot.

The representative of millions of people was overthrown by the “Gang of Five” (retired Gen Bajwa, retired Lt-Gen Faiz, Imran Khan, Saqib Nisar, and Asif Saeed Khosa)”, said the three-time prime minister.

1993 میں نکالنے کی وجہ کیا تھی کہ ہم اسلام آباد سے لاہور موٹر وے بنارہے تھے؟ اس لیے کہ پاکستان اقتصادی ترقی کررہا تھا؟اس لیے کہ پاکستان میں لوگوں کو روزگار مل رہا تھا؟ اس لیے کہ پاکستان میں غربت ختم ہورہی تھی؟ بلاوجہ حکومت ختم کردی گئی۔قائد مسلم لیگ ن #NawazSharifInSialkot pic.twitter.com/jBwpns1iFf

— PMLN Media (@PmlnMedia) November 25, 2023

The politico said he has seen a very difficult time. “I have spent more time in prisons, exiles and trials than I did in power.” Nawaz added he “never gave up”.

The PML-N stalwart lamented that a series of punishments against him and his party has continued since 2017, but has only ended a few days ago. “Our government was abolished without any reason,” he said.

The veteran politician emphasised learning a lesson from the past, or else Pakistan’s story would not be among those of other nations.

The PML-N supremo complained about the country’s decline since 2017  — the year when he was removed from power — and said the rupee was stronger back when his party was in power. “There was no such thing as inflation in 2017.”

Nawaz further said that he was replaced by someone (PTI Chairman Imran Khan) who only knows how to verbally abuse others, questioning why was there electoral manipulation in 2018 and why the Results Transmission System (RTS) was made inoperational.

“This person (Imran) destroyed our culture and society and we cannot hand over our country to such people,” said the PML-N supremo, adding that even though injustice was done to them, they never acted against the interest of the country.

“Whatever happened to the country in the last 70 years should never happen to another nation,” he added.

Nawaz further said that those who brought Imran as a leader of this country are equally responsible as much as him. “If our government hadn’t been toppled, Pakistan would have been a strong country,” he added.

Nawaz commends role of Sialkot’s business community

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif commended the invaluable contributions of the business community of Sialkot, recognizing their pivotal role in fortifying the bedrock of the national economy.

He speaking during his visit to the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday.

قائد مسلم لیگ ن نواز شریف سیالکوٹ چیمبر آف کامرس پہنچ گئے@NawazSharifMNS pic.twitter.com/wKBYcAGU1l

— PMLN Media (@PmlnMedia) November 25, 2023

Upon arrival at chamber, the PML-N supreme leader was welcomed by President SCCI, Abdul Ghafoor Malik along with the business community of the city.

Speaking on the occasion, SCCI President Abdul Ghafoor Malik stressed the need for a sustainable and long-term economic plan to promote exports and encourage import substitution. He also shed light on various infrastructural needs of the district with the affirmation that exports could double in the years to come provided that an enabling environment was created.

Commending the role of business community of Sialkot, Nawaz Sharif underscored Pakistan’s vast potential for exponential growth, emphasizing the indispensable need for a resolute and unwavering strategy in navigating critical spheres such as economy and social progress. His unwavering commitment was palpable as he articulated his steadfast dedication to fostering an environment conducive to bolstering exports and propelling industrial advancement, all in pursuit of a thriving and prosperous future for the nation.

The meeting was attended by former Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Maryam Nawaz, former Minister for Planning and Special Initiative Ahsan Iqbal, Maryam Aurangzeb, Pervaiz Rashid, Group leader Sialkot business community Riaz-ud-Din Sheikh, SVP SCCI Wahub Jahangir, VP SCCI Amer Majeed Sheikh, former SCCI Presidents, SVPs, VPs and members of the business community.