FAISALABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz has urged the PML-N workers to avenge the insult [to Nawaz Sharif] by electing the party candidates in general elections this year.

Addressing a social media convention at the Dhobi Ghat ground on Thursday, she said: “They [NAB] failed to prove even a single allegation against the former premier in six months and now two more months have been given for the trial which will yield nothing.”

She said Nawaz Sharif was facing the trial for the fifth time during the last one and a half years and “what would they produce in the next two months.”

She said cousin of Wajid Zia refused to comment when asked by [our] lawyer as to how much money had he obtained to conduct investigation. She said the man replied it was his personal matter. She said the investigators had been given money from the national kitty and “how could it be a personal matter?”Maryam said the Balochistan government was toppled so that PML-N could not secure majority in the Senate. Then election symbol [of lion] was also taken away and the PML-N emerged as the biggest party in the Senate although its president and symbol were snatched.

Maryam continues with her rant against judiciary

Maryam said: “The symbol was snatched from us in Sargodha and [symbol of] pick-up was given to our candidate, however, the candidate won the election with a lead of 20,000 votes.”State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali did not join Maryam on the stage and preferred to be present in the public when she spotted him and said, “I am watching you (Abid) and other workers who were wearing the mask of Nawaz Sharif.”

A large number of PML-N workers from different areas thronged the venue, waving party flags and symbol of lion on their vehicles.Maryam also visited the residence of ailing MNA of the party, Rajab Ali Baloch, to inquire after him.

Carrying placards, some Baloch men staged a protest demonstration at the convention saying that they must be given rights like other segments of the society.

Talking to Dawn, some participants said they had accorded a warm welcome to the daughter of Nawaz Sharif. They said the party had made various committees to mobilise the workers to make the event a success and “the presence of workers shows people still love Nawaz Sharif.”

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2018