‘Difficult decisions’ cost PML-N dearly: Nawaz Sharif

Following the thumping defeat of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates in the crucial by-elections on 20 Punjab Assembly seats on Sunday, party’s supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the party paid the price of ‘difficult decisions’ taken by the coalition government that came into power on the back of Imran Khan’s ouster through no-trust vote in parliament.

The rivals Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged victorious in majority of the seats in today’s big test. According to the unofficial and inconclusive results, the Imran Khan-led party has secured 11 seats while it has a clear lead in five other constituencies.

The former ruling party won Multan, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Khushab, Sheikhupura, Jhang and two other provincial assembly seats.

According to the unofficial and inconclusive results received so far, PML-N won only one of the four seats in Lahore while it has an advantage in two other constituencies.

Also read: Punjab by-polls: PTI wins 11 seats, leads in 5 constituencies in major upset

In a major upset, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf won three out of four constituencies in Lahore in today’s by-elections.

Source privy to the development told Express News that Nawaz Sharif, who has been living in London for his ‘medical treatment’ since 2019, contacted his younger brother Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz – son of PM Shehbaz – and directed them to call an emergency meeting of the party to discuss the future course of action in the context of the results of today’s by-elections.

According to party sources, the three-time premier said that PML-N has suffered due to ‘difficult decisions’, referring to mammoth hikes in prices of petroleum products and electricity tariff among others to secure an IMF deal.

The party leader was also quoted as saying, “We respect the opinion of the people and the election results are still trickling in.”

Nawaz Sharif directed PM Shahbaz to call an emergency meeting. He said that after today’s election results, the plan for the future course will be decided in the emergency meeting.