PML-N activists protest decision

Claim it will only strengthen the party

PESHAWAR: Soon after an accountability court sentenced deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter in the Avenfield Apartments case, activists from Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took to streets of the provincial capital and protested against the verdict.

Protesters blocked the Saddar road for traffic and chanted slogans in favour of former prime minister Nawaz, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and accosted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

PML-N activists from different parts of the provincial capital gathered in small groups, led by local leaders of PML-N — including party candidates for the upcoming general elections, in their respective areas including University Town, GT Road, Saddar, Nauthia, old city, Kohat Road and areas adjacent to the provincial capital.



Members of PML-N’s local leadership stated that the verdict will further strengthen the PML-N under the leadership of former Punjab chief minister and Nawaz’s younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.

They added that this was not the first time the former PML-N chief was facing such obstacles and that he had been through such situations in the past as well.

“It will further unite us," stated Haji Saeedullah Afridi, a PML-N leader from Peshawar.

"I am shocked by the response of our friends, well-wishers and voters, especially the youth since everyone has been saying it was never going to work,” he added.

He told The Express Tribune that the country was currently confronted with numerous challenges and that it was up to the general public to decide which direction the country should move in. That decision, Afridi said, will be taken on July 25 and will prove that the PML-N is the only political party which can steer the country out of the current crisis.

PML-N Provincial President Amir Muqam could not be reached despite repeated attempts.

Wali decries timing of the verdict

The verdict of the accountability court, which sentenced Nawaz to 10 years in prison and Maryam to seven years while imposing heavy fines apart from ordering the confiscation of the family’s Avenfield apartments, drew criticism from at least one major opposition party.

Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali Khan expressed concern on accountability court’s judgment and termed it a big decision, but poorly timed.



Addressing an election rally in Charsadda, the ANP chief explained that since the decision came at a crucial time with the general elections around the corner, he was apprehensive that it would benefit a particular political party.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN SHABQADAR