Former PM Holds Imran Khan and Allies Responsible
Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s problems are not solely due to PTI founder Imran Khan. He added that those who helped bring Khan to power are equally responsible.
Addressing newly elected parliamentarians in Lahore, Nawaz said the PTI government brought Pakistan’s economy and diplomacy to the brink of collapse. “The PTI founder is not the only culprit; those who brought him are equally responsible,” he stated, urging action against all responsible parties.
He criticized the PTI for promoting “lies, abuse, indecency, immorality, and chaos” during its tenure. Nawaz claimed that during his government, Pakistan progressed rapidly, freed itself from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and strengthened ties with global institutions. He said the PTI reversed these gains and likened their rule to playing cricket for five years, ignoring national priorities.
He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for stabilizing the economy and improving diplomacy. Nawaz noted that the incumbent government prevented a default and reduced inflation in just 18 months.
PML-N’s By-Election Sweep and Political Message
Nawaz also criticized PTI for boycotting recent by-elections while still fielding candidates. “What kind of boycott was it that Omar Ayub’s wife was contesting?” he asked, highlighting PTI candidates campaigning with Khan’s portraits.
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz also spoke, saying ending Nawaz Sharif’s political career has never been easy. She recalled her family’s hardships, including exile, under the previous government. She added that opponents once predicted Pakistan would default under PML-N, but public opinion has shifted.
The PML-N celebrated sweeping victories in the by-elections. The party won six out of six National Assembly seats and six out of seven Punjab Assembly seats. Only PP-269 in Muzaffargarh went to the Pakistan Peoples Party, according to unofficial results.
By-elections were held in NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96 and NA-104 (Faisalabad), NA-129 (Lahore), NA-143 (Sahiwal), and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan), as well as seven Punjab Assembly constituencies across Faisalabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sahiwal, and Muzaffargarh.
The PML-N credited its victory to government performance and services delivered to the people. Nawaz Sharif and his daughter emphasized that the party is ready to take Pakistan to new heights of development and prosperity.
