Those dubbed as ‘traitors’ are true patriots: Maryam

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Monday said that whoever in Pakistan was given the epithet of “traitor” was, in fact, a true patriot.

Maryam, who is canvassing for the general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) due on July 25, was addressing an election rally in the Haveli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Maryam said the country conducted successful nuclear tests in a befitting response to Delhi under the premiership of her father despite the international pressure.

“He [Nawaz Sharif] never whined that Indian prime minister Modi does not pick up his phone,” Maryam said, taking a jibe at Prime Minister Imran Khan and dared the premier “to come forward and fight for the truth”.

Maryam Nawaz reminded the participants of the rally that Nawaz Sharif fought the case of Burhan Wani in the United Nations and will continue to advocate the Kashmir cause. Pointedly referring to PM Imran, she said: “We will not hand over Kashmir to Modi like the ‘selected’ did”.

The PML-N leader went on to repeat her claims that the premier was trying to manipulate the electoral outcomes in the valley. She said despite doling out money and “buying people”, PM Imran Khan’s rally in the state was a failure as “no one attended it”. “The people of Bagh refused to attend Imran Khan's rally.”

On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan, speaking to a rally in Bagh, had out at his rivals without taking any name.

“A leader [...] who has his wealth, properties and business outside Pakistan can never take a stand for you,” he said to the Kashmiris. “If I too had my money and properties abroad, I could not have said an ‘absolute no’ to the United States,” he said of his recent reported refusal to allow Pakistani air bases to the US.

Addressing the rally on Monday, Maryam Nawaz claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to impose a “puppet government” in the state by stealing votes. “Imran Khan wants to convert Kashmir into a province by bringing in a prime minister of his choice.”

She warned the people that the “puppet government” would deprive them of any claim they have over the valley.