PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said the PTI regime’s Naya Pakistan was many years behind the old one while addressing a rally staged by the opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), at a grassy ground in Swat – its first after differences emerged within its ranks.
“All parties in the alliance [PDM] are united and on the same page in its aim to oust the PTI government,” the opposition leader in the National Assembly added.
Addressing the crowd, Shehbaz urged the people to bring about a "revolution" against the present government for the rising inflation and corruption in the country.
"[PM] Imran Khan has destroyed Pakistan's economy. How would someone sitting in a palace in Bani Gala know the difficulties of common people?”
The former Punjab CM said God had blessed Pakistan with every resource but unfortunately, it lacked capable people to make use of them for the betterment of the country.
صدر پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن شہباز شریف سوات پہنچ گئے
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) July 4, 2021
صوبائی صدر انجینئر امیر مقام نے استقبال کیا pic.twitter.com/gNaol7B7hk
Criticising PM Imran on his remarks on nuclear deterrence, the PML-N president said it was the most crucial defence of Pakistan as the enemy would think many times before acting against the country.
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) July 4, 2021
"Nuclear capability is out deterrence because the enemy would think many times before harming Pakistan but he [PM Imran] says we do not need it if the Kashmir issue gets resolved," he added.
Read Who will lead PML-N into PDM’s Swat rally?
Blaming the ruling party for pushing Pakistan towards power outages once again, Shehbaz said his party's supreme leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had eliminated the longstanding issue.
سنیئر نائب صدر پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن شاہد خاقان عباسی سوات میں لیگی کارکنان کے ہمراہ جلسے گاہ پہنچ گئے pic.twitter.com/X1wz1k1aob
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) July 4, 2021
“There used to be 20-hour long load-shedding in Pakistan [before PML-N came to power] but Nawaz Sharif resolved the issue through sheer hard work," he said. “He [Sharif] inducted 14,000MW electricity in the system.”
He said the country did not even have power to cater for its need, so there was no point talking about cheap electricity.
“There has never been such a steep rise in inflation and poverty in Pakistan's history. They talk about creating a Naya (new) Pakistan but this Naya Pakistan is many years behind old Pakistan."
Shehbaz said the government talked about the construction of five million houses but not even a single brick had been laid yet.
“The PTI had promised to provide 10 million jobs but many during the incumbent government's rule have lost their jobs.”
He said during the tenure of PML-N, the people in Punjab used to receive treatment and medicine for cancer free-of-charge. "The PML-N will make Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa even more prosperous if given a chance [to rule]," he added.
Speaking on the occasion, JUI-F chief and PDM president Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in an apparent reference to the PPP, said that the departure of one party from the alliance had no effect on the movement against the PTI government.
The Bilawal Bhutto-led party parted ways with the PDM after a disagreement over the selection of leader of opposition in the Senate in March.
"We have restarted our campaign [against the government] today from Swat. The participation of so many people is a testament to the fact that people are with us despite the departure of one party," he said.
Reiterating his stance against the PTI government, Fazl said that the opposition alliance would not relax until the government was sent packing.
"You [Imran Khan] are a representative of the Western civilisation in Pakistan. Your days are numbered.”
He said PM Imran was an “unnecessary part” of politics in Pakistan.
“The proof of this is the recent parliamentary meeting on security where he [PM Imran] was neither invited nor did he come," he said, adding that the importance of the prime minister could be gauged from this development.
The JUI-F chief claimed that the government had already given its airspace to the US.
"Why are you lying to people? You have already deceived the new generation and our youth as much as you can."
Fazl said Imran Khan's "friend" former US president Donald Trump had left the office and the premier would follow him soon.
He pointed out that PM Imran now criticised former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf's decisions during his tenure, but at that time he used to laud them. "You even supported him during his referendum."
He alleged that PM Imran had destroyed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and as a consequence, a friend like China was looking towards Iran for partnership.
Earlier, the rally was delayed after a heavy rainfall in Swat and adjoining areas.
Activists belonging to the anti-government opposition alliance's parties could be seen using chairs to cover their heads in a bid to shelter themselves from the rain and strong winds.
As part of the event's preparations, two daises had been set up for the alliance's leaders to address supporters, whereas some 10,000 chairs had been lined up at the venue for the participants.
Measures to ensure foolproof security, with some 1,600 police personnel deployed for the purpose, had also been taken.
Moreover, 3,000 volunteers of the JUI-F also provided security on the occasion.
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People will not vote them anymore no matter how sweet you talk. Pakistan is united under the dynamic and honest leadership of IK. He built his house after a lot of hard work with his hard earned money not by stealing peoples money or property.