Lahore crackdown aimed at sabotaging PML-N election campaign, claims Mushahid Hussain

Former senator tells reporters that tactics adopted by caretaker government making polls controversial

Mushahid Hussain Syed. PHOTO: FILE

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Mushahid Hussain Syed on Friday said that the crackdown currently underway on political workers in Lahore was being carried out to sabotage the election campaign of his party.

"All this is done to sabotage PML-N's campaign. We will resist all such efforts as campaigning is our basic right," the former senator said while addressing a press conference in Lahore.

He added that the lockdown of the city was unfair and without precedent in the history of the nation.

"We are very clear that PML-N is the largest political party of Pakistan. Someone said that Nawaz Sharif is a convict, I am saying that ZAB was also a convict," Hussain told reporters.

Mushahid Hussain honoured with IRI award for ‘outstanding academic contribution’

According to the PML-N leader, the tactics adopted by the caretaker government would likely make the upcoming elections controversial.


"We also admit what they did with Zardari and Talpur was also unfair," he said regarding a recent case involving the leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party.

"We will host a warm welcome for Nawaz Sharif. People are converging from all over Pakistan. I would advise them not to repeat mistakes of the past," the former senator outlined, reaffirming the resolve of his party to welcome the deposed premier upon his return to the country.

"The verdict against Sharif was given to sabotage the whole election process. It has no mention of any corruption," Hussain complained.

Senator Mushahid Hussain joins PML-N

He added that those opposing his party believed that Nawaz and Maryam would not return, but had been proven wrong.

Nawaz Sharif was sentenced in absentia last week to 10 years in prison by a corruption court over the purchase of high-end properties in London, dealing a serious blow to his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party’s bid weeks ahead of the July 25 polls.

The deposed prime minister is set to arrive in Pakistan later today, according to reports.
Load Next Story