On poll campaign, Maryam predicts ‘hard times are over’
As the manoeuvrings to regain and retain Punjab pick up steam, the showdown began on Monday with PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz going for PTI chief Imran Khan's jugular, who is also on election rally spree in the country's political heartland.
Maryam marked the commencement of her campaign with Sahiwal on Monday and Jhang on Tuesday as the province prepares to go to polls on July 17 in at least crucial 20 constituencies.
On Tuesday, during her rally in Jhang, the PML-N leader echoed her claims she made a day earlier, declaring that the country had progressed past the hard times and that now the good times were on the horizon.
“If the people want inflation to decrease then they should vote for PML-N. PML-N’s competition is not with Imran Khan but with inflation and incompetence,” Maryam said and sought their promise to defeat those working against Punjab's development.
She assured the people that she will not rest easy till their fortunes are changed.
A day earlier, Maryam had said that the incumbent government was through with all tough decisions it was compelled to take to to steer the country out of the crisis left by the last PTI regime and added that "now good days are coming".
“All tough decisions have been taken and good days are coming..Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is going to announce a major relief package soon,” she said while addressing a rally in Punjab’s Chichawatni district on Monday.
Read more: All tough decisions taken, now good days are coming: Maryam
Maryam said PM Shehbaz had no option but to increase the petrol and diesel prices due to his predecessor Imran Khan’s “incompetence”.
“Unlike Imran, he [Premier Shehbaz] did not say that he came into power to check the tomato and potato prices…”
She also accused former prime minister Imran of detaining a woman at the PM House, when she allegedly went there to lodge a complaint against then NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal.
“The PM House was used for blackmailing purposes... instead of converting it into a university it was made a hub of kidnapping,” she said while referring to the allegations of Tayyaba Gul.
Maryam said Farah Gogi was a frontwoman of Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi who “plundered the resources of Punjab”.
The ruling party stalwart also claimed that both the women would receive diamonds in bribes to have the files signed by then prime minister Imran Khan.
“Nawaz Sharif built CPEC which attracted investments from China and many development projects including roads, highways were developed under it but Imran only built one project GPEC — Gog-Pinki Economic Corridor.”
“I promise you that we will not rest for a minute until we provide you relief..,” she added.
Responding to Imran’s allegations that the PML-N-led government was plotting to rig the upcoming by-polls, Maryam said PML-N’s victory in the by-election is certain. “He is hurling rigging allegations because he knows that he cannot win the polls..”
'PM to announce relief soon'
Addressing a rally at Chiniot turn on Tuesday, Maryam said that the prime minister will announce huge relief for the masses soon.
“We have come to carry out development work including building schools and colleges in the country and to reduce the prices of potatoes and onions.”
The PML-N leader promised that she would not sit idly until the development of the city is not completed. She said that Imran Khan could not digest the development of Punjab and was trying to block this.
She said if people want to get rid of inflation in the country and want Punjab to develop then vote for lion.
Later addressing a rally at Gojra turn, she reiterated that difficult times have passed and added that the PML-N was not competing with Imran Khan but with inflation.
She said the PML-N is not combating Imran Khan but was fighting incompetence and inflation.
“We have come to reduce inflation and build roads,” said Maryam.