GILGIT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz vice-president Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s promise to grant the provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan was a lie.

She urged the people of the region to help send the ‘fake’ premier home.

“He [PM Imran Khan] is on his way out. The final push [for his ouster] will come from the people of GB,” she told party workers during a public meeting in Skardu city.

The PML-N leader, who is the daughter of party supremo Nawaz Sharif, arrived in the city on a seven-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan to lead the party’s election campaign.

Accompanied by senior PML-N leaders, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, retired Captain Safdar, Maryam Aurangzeb and Parvez Rashid, she will hold public meetings and rallies in Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar, Ghizer, Astore and Diamer districts.

The PML-N leader, who also went to Ghanche area, criticised the premier over ‘failure’ to fulfil promises, including provision of jobs and houses to people and reduction in the prices of essential items.

Asks people to reject turncoats in regional polls

She alleged that PM Imran Khan claimed credit for the projects, which were launched by Nawaz Sharif as the premier.

Ms Maryam said the prime minister recently visited the region but didn’t bother to sit with the people and address them.

“He [PM Imran] is scared of people, so he can’t go to them,” she said.

The PML-N leader said the ‘fake rulers’ would be ousted soon.

She said those, who couldn’t stand up for themselves, would certainly not stand up for themselves.

Ms Maryam said the PML-N leadership and workers respected the Pakistan Army from the core of their hearts and that the people had the right to elect their rulers and no one else.

She said she would become the people’s voice.

The PML-N leader asked the people to vote for those, who supported the party in difficult times.

“I have heard that eight or nine of our 16 candidates have switched loyalties.

“While casting votes, people should remember that those, who cannot endure pressure, will never stand up for their rights,” she said.

Ms Maryam urged the people not to vote for turncoats.

“Those, who remain loyal to their party, deserve your votes and not backstabbers,” she said.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2020