ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the Pakistan Democratic Movement sacrificed its political influence to contribute to the stabilization of Pakistan after assuming office in 2022. He also confirmed that upon his return to Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif would unveil his economic recovery plan.
During a press conference in Lahore on Friday, Shehbaz expressed that it wouldn’t be accurate to claim total success in every aspect, yet he remained confident that the government had exerted its utmost effort. He highlighted the challenges faced by the government, including the historic floods, sit-ins, and long marches.
He described the peak of political disruptions on May 9 as an ‘attack’ on Pakistan. Shehbaz noted that India had adopted Nawaz Sharif’s economic model from his first government in 1990, even though the president at the time had not supported those reforms.
He mentioned that during Nawaz’s second term, Pakistan became a nuclear power despite significant international pressure. He also recalled the visit of Indian PM Bajpai to Pakistan, seen as a ‘moral victory’ as he acknowledged Pakistan’s existence at the Minar-e-Pakistan.
Shehbaz pointed out that the Kargil War had once again disrupted the country’s stability, and Nawaz had made significant sacrifices to protect Pakistan. He emphasized Nawaz’s role in launching the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and his efforts to ensure the visit of the Chinese president, even amidst a sit-in that persisted.
Shehbaz also noted that Nawaz was removed from office due to an iqama, despite his name not being present in the Panama Papers.
He credited the PDM-led government with not only stabilizing the country’s economy but also improving Pakistan’s foreign relations, which had suffered under the previous administration.
