Why was Pakistan punished to bring “ladla” to power: Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz suprmemo Nawaz Sharif has accused his political opponents of orchestrating a “shameful game” to oust him from power and plunge Pakistan into economic and security crises.

In a video message to his supporters on Thursday, Sharif said he was innocent of all the corruption charges that led to his disqualification and imprisonment. He said he was targeted because he did not take a salary from his son’s company.

Sharif, who returned to Pakistan in 2023 after four years of exile in London, said he endured insults and character assassination while in jail. He said he wondered why he was made an enemy and why Pakistan was harmed.

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He claimed that during his three terms as prime minister, he brought progress, stability and prosperity to the country. He said he ended load shedding, eradicated terrorism, welcomed foreign investment, strengthened the currency and improved the country’s global standing.

He contrasted his achievements with the current situation, which he said was marked by inflation, poverty, unemployment, power outages, violence and isolation. He blamed the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and its allies for ruining the country and looting the people.

He said he was thankful to Allah that all the cases against him turned out to be false and the courts acquitted him. He said he would be happy when the people of Pakistan also get justice and relief.

He urged his supporters to vote for his party in the upcoming general election on February 8, 2024. He said the people were the real judges and they had the power to change their fate.