PML-Q reaches out to Nawaz in London

LONDON:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid leader Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Saturday decided to work together to bail the country out of the difficulties it was facing.

According to sources, Salik's meeting with Nawaz is considered important in view of the possible dissolution of the Punjab Assembly on PTI chief Imran Khan’s call. They said Salik met Nawaz to convey his father Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s important message.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz were also present during the meeting held at Avenfield Apartment.

In the meeting, Nawaz and Salik discussed the country’s political and economic situation.

Salik also inquired after the health of Nawaz.

Separately, talking to media persons, Nawaz finally broke his silence on the apology issued by British publication The Daily Mail regarding the "error" in an article it had published in 2019, saying that it was proof of the Sharif family and his party’s innocence.

The PML-N supremo said, “False allegations of money laundering, corruption, commission, kickbacks, and misuse of office were levelled by the newspaper against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on PTI leaders Imran Khan and Shahzad Akbar’s directives.”

He added that the UK law enforcement agency, the National Crime Agency, had investigated the cases and given his brother a “clean chit” a while ago.

The former premier stated that after the publication’s apology, Imran, Akbar, and the PTI should be ashamed.

Nawaz also questioned what greater evidence of innocence could there be, highlighting that this was the UK, an independent country with democracy and people's rule, and no PML-N government nor the PTI or any other political party.

“Those embroiled in corruption from head to toe are making accusations against those who have been proven innocent by the British courts,” he said, adding that everyone was aware of the “proven” Toshakhana “thefts”.

Nawaz maintained that his party was responsible for developing Pakistan's economy during its tenures in government, day and night, by building motorways and completing projects. He lambasted the PTI government, asking if anyone could name any project established by Imran Khan.

He alleged that Imran had been involved in “corruption of Rs50 billion”, citing the PTI's Billion Tree Project — which is being investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) — and the transfer of land to al Qadir Trust, for which Imran and his wife were presumably trustees.

The PML-N supremo claimed that "the people would get goosebumps" if they heard the details regarding this matter when it will eventually be investigated.

He lamented that the PML-N “let cases be registered against” it, and had to endure exile and jail for “no reason”.

“A hijacking case was made against me; tell me which hijacking case has come forward till today,” he questioned.