Pakistani Twitter deemed former premier Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the All Parties Conference (APC) as his most ‘defiant’ and ‘fiery to date’ as he said that the opposition’s feud was not with Prime Minister Imran Khan but those that brought him into power in the 2018 general elections.
Nawaz has shied away from political appearances for over a year now and users of the micro-blogging site were eagerly anticipated his address via video link from London, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The PML-N supreme leader pledged that his party would fully endorse whatever course of action would be decided at the opposition huddle.
South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman was of the view that Nawaz “came out swinging” with a “bold and defiant” speech.
Kugelman said that his tone was “sharp” and words “explicit”.
After a long period of public silence, former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif came out swinging today with a bold, defiant speech that was harshly critical of the security establishment. That’s not a new topic for him, but his tone was strikingly sharp & explicit this time.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) September 20, 2020
While television anchor Amber Rahim Shamsi also seconded Kugelman’s view that his speech took no prisoners.
She, however, questioned whether the resolution would reflect his talking points.
Mian Nawaz Sharif breaks his silence with a no holds barred speech at the #APC2020 but will the resolution reflect his taking points?
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) September 20, 2020
However, political pundit Mosharraf Zaidi said that his speech “was neither his boldest not coherent or original with respect to context as he has said all this before as well”.
Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the APC was neither his boldest ever (see 2007-2009, and 2017-2018) nor coherent or original with respect to context. He has said all that he said before. Like with Musharraf, the only chance for the opposition is the implosion of the current set-up.
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) September 20, 2020
1/n
Human Rights Minister lashed out at those who believed that the government would not allow Nawaz’s speech to be telecast live.
In a quip, she drew parallels to Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain and Nawaz.
Ah the question they will never answer! Btw what was all the cacophony about not letting NS speech be telecast live? Perhaps those making these accusations should have courtesy to apologise atleast? Absconder rhetoric from London is something we in Pakistan are used to for years! https://t.co/1Mgj1fH5lF
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 20, 2020
Another television anchor Kamran Yousaf lauded his speech,” You may be supporter or hater of #NawazSharif, his today's speech will go down in history as one of the candid and bold postmortem of Pakistan's chronic problems”.
You may be supporter or hater of #NawazSharif, his today's speech will go down in history as one of the candid and bold postmortem of Pakistan's chronic problems.#APC2020
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) September 20, 2020
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