GUJAR KHAN: The current situation in Pakistan is a result of rigging in the 2018 general elections and removal of Nawaz Sharif from power in 2017, said former prime minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday.

Addressing a workers’ convention in Jhelum, Mr Abbasi said the country was passing through a difficult phase but the situation could be tackled by the PML-N which was committed to serving the nation, and was not hungry for power.

He said the PML-N leadership had seen imprisonments, remained in the opposition for four years, but sacrificed its politics to put the country back on track.

Mr Abbasi said the PML-N-led government had made difficult decisions which should have been taken in the last four years, adding that inefficiency and corruption could not be sorted out in a few months.

Criticising Imran Khan, Mr Abbasi said he had been uttering abusive words for the last seven months, adding political leaders were not supposed to incite violence or hatred in society.

He said the sole purpose of Imran Khan’s long march was to influence the appointment of the new army chief, adding that according to the Constitution, the appointment of the army chief was the prerogative of the prime minister and it was to be made from the proposed names without consulting Imran Khan or anyone else.

The former premier said the PTI chief affected relations with China, Russia and Saudi Arabia and failed to answer corruption allegations and the funding on which his party was being run.

He challenged Imran to mention any move which he took for the welfare of the country during his rule.

He said Imran’s politics was based on hatred, creating division, and against the country’s interests, adding only the leadership of the PML-N could improve the condition of the country.

He said if Nawaz Sharif could be disqualified for lifetime, why not Imran, adding there cannot be dual standards of justice.

He added that every leader of PML-N was put behind bars but not a single case could be proved against them. He said the purpose of politics should be serving the masses, not calling names.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2022