PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Eng Amir Muqam has claimed Nawaz Sharif is the only national leader capable of steering the country out of the economic crisis.

Addressing ‘meet the press’ programme at the Peshawar Press Club here on Thursday, he insisted Mr Sharif was the only hope for the nation to overcome the national issues.

He declared that people in all the provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, were anxiously waiting for the return of ‘their’ leader to the country. “Peoples’ caravans from different areas will start their journey towards Lahore on Oct 20 (today) to welcome the former prime minister, who is scheduled to arrive in the city tomorrow (Oct 21),” he said.

Mr Muqam said the spirit of PML-N workers was amazing and they were all set to give a historic welcome to their beloved leader. He said the agenda of the former premier was to take the country out of the multiple challenges.

Claims people anxiously waiting for PML-N supremo’s return

The leaguer counted a long list of services for Pakistan rendered by the former premier, including construction of motorways, highways, eradication of loadshedding and wiping out of the menace of terrorism, besides making Pakistan a nuclear power despite resistance by the international community.

He said it was the Nawaz Sharif-led government that had added over 12,000MW electricity to the national grid and successfully completed the IMF programme in 2016.

“The country was plunged into serious crisis after the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif on charge of not taking salary from his son,” he insisted, adding Mr Sharif had faced all challenges with steadfastness and appeared in courts regularly.

Mr Muqam said there was no obstacle in return of Mr Sharif after Islamabad High Court had granted him a protective bill till Oct 24.

About the popularity of PML-N, he said many political stalwarts, including former members of assemblies, had joined the party.

Commenting about some of the party’s disgruntled leaders, including Sardar Mehtab, Shahid Khaqan and others, he said Nawaz Sharif had given a lot of respect to the ‘defecting’ members of PML-N. He said these leaders should be questioned as to what issue they had with Nawaz Sharif.

On this occasion, Mr Muqam announced Rs500,000 grant for the press club.

In Bajaur, PML-N leaders on Thursday vowed to strengthen the party in the district before the coming elections.

They made the pledge while addressing a workers’ convention held at the residence of Shahabuddin Khan, the party’s provincial senior vice-president, in Pashat area of Salarzai tehsil.

The gathering was meant to mobilise people for the party’s planned gathering at Minar-i-Pakistan ground in Lahore on Oct 21 in connection with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return to the country.

PML-N, Bajaur president Malik Gul Kareem Khan, general secretary Israruddin Khan, Nawabzada Waheed Khan and others addressed the convention.

They claimed PML- N was the most popular party in the district as its nominee had remained MNA for two different terms. They claimed most of development projects in the district were launched by PML-N. They also took credit for repealing the colonial-era black law of Frontier Crimes Regulation.

They said the previous government of the party had rebuilt the schools and hospitals destroyed during militancy.

The speakers said holding of such gatherings was imperative to improve the party’s position in the district.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2023