Nawaz adamant on punishing ‘swindlers’

Preparing to set foot in his homeland and apparently ensuring a zero-risk environment for himself, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on Friday demanded that the "conspirators" who orchestrated the downfall of his government in 2017 must face legal consequences, asserting that the country’s progress would remain hindered unless they were held accountable.

In an attempt to build up momentum for Nawaz’s return to Pakistan from London on Oct 21, the PML-N leadership once again started fanning narrative against the judges and generals who, according to them, played a role in Nawaz’s conviction and disqualification back in 2017.

Time and again, the PML-N leadership assailed some judges and generals and even blamed them for the current wave of inflation and inflated electricity bills that landed on consumers’ doorsteps this July.

In the London huddle on Friday, which included prominent party leaders Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Maryam Nawaz, the three-time former prime minister reiterated his allegations that a nefarious plot had led to the near-collapse of the nation in 2017, with an imposition of disastrous policies.

“A prosperous nation in 2017 was dragged to the brink of collapse,” he said, criticising those who were imposed on Pakistan, referring to them as “a bunch of kids”.

Nawaz, who himself has to face legal proceedings upon his return as he had gone abroad for four weeks on medical grounds after being granted relief in Al-Azizai case, emphasised during the London huddle on the urgency of bringing all those who were involved in this alleged conspiracy to justice as it was crucial to the country's advancement.

Surprisingly, the PML-N leadership remained almost silent during its recent 16-month rule and now in the election year, it once again turned its guns against a few former judges and generals.

Strange as it might seem, Nawaz had previously accused former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa of toppling his government, pressuring the judiciary and installing the government of Imran in the 2018 elections but his younger brother, former PM Shehbaz Sharif, lauded the former army chief’s services when he bid farewell to him in Nov 2022.

Nawaz, while speaking via video-link from London to a gathering organised by the then united opposition in Gujranwala, had said that Bajwa had “packed up our government, which was working well, and put the nation and the country at the altar” of his wishes.

He had blamed a few generals and the judges for what he said were trumped-up charges but no practical step was taken against anyone when the PML-N led government ruled.

In scathing remarks on Friday, Nawaz once again singled out influential figures, including Gen Bajwa, ex-ISI chief Gen Faiz Hameed, and former chief justices Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa as well as justice Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, fiercely labelling them as “criminals of Pakistan”.

Nawaz and his daughter, Maryam, among other PML-N leaders, repeatedly accused Gen Bajwa and Gen Faiz of imposing former premier Imran Khan on the people of Pakistan after a long conspiracy.

The high-level meeting at Nawaz’s residence in London once again blamed them for the country’s current political and economic mess while deliberating Nawaz’s return and other pertinent issues.

Key consultations included discussions on the political situation in the country, upcoming general elections, and party affairs. Detailed arrangements for Nawaz’s homecoming were also examined. The London meeting is being seen as a pivotal moment for the PML-N, demonstrating the parties’ determination to shape the nation’s political landscape before the upcoming general elections.

‘No change in date’

Meanwhile, Shehbaz dismissed any alterations to Nawaz’s planned return on Oct 21, affirming that the date remained unchanged.

Also read: No change in Nawaz’s travel plan: PML-N leaders

The clarification followed Shehbaz’s sudden departure to London shortly after his return to Pakistan, leaving many within and outside the party perplexed about the purpose of the unscheduled meeting.

Speaking to the media in London before the meeting, the younger Sharif revealed that Nawaz had requested his presence and sought advice.

He reiterated that discussions would take place regarding the reception of his return, assuring that those propagandising against his homecoming would be addressed soon.

‘Nawaz’s to revive stalled progress’

Former PM Shehbaz, who ruled the country till this August and is currently running back and forth between Lahore and London, is also busy building the ground that his elder brother would come and revive the economy.

Though Shehbaz flew to London several times to seek guidance from Nawaz during his premiership, it seems the magic formula of success was either kept a secret from him or didn’t work through the younger Sharif.

Though the Shehbaz-led 16-month government – which the coalition parties themselves ended prematurely this August – had come to power after removing the Imran-led regime promising to end inflation, they left inflation at a soaring note.

Speaking to the media following the high-level meeting, Shehbaz confirmed that his brother, Nawaz, was soon to make his long-awaited return to the country.

He asserted that Nawaz’s purpose was to pick up where the country's progress had been abruptly interrupted in 2017, resuming the trajectory of growth that had been halted.

Meanwhile, PML-N Senior Vice President and Chief Organiser Maryam disclosed that significant preparations were under way to welcome Nawaz back home, with a meeting scheduled to discuss the arrangements further.

The high-level PML-N leadership meeting, under the guidance of Nawaz, will continue in London on Saturday (today).

The session will be attended by Shehbaz, Maryam, Mian Javed Latif, Talal Chaudhary, Abid Sher Ali, and other key party figures.

Some party insiders had earlier raised concerns and speculations about the motive behind Shehbaz’s swift return to London.

One member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Punjab suggested that Shehbaz might have departed to convey a message from influential entities within Pakistan's power structure, although there has been no official confirmation of such communication.

Another party leader speculated that the urgency of the London meeting might be related to the PML-N's legal strategy. This could involve seeking relief from the courts in light of the appointment of a new chief justice and a potential willingness of the establishment to engage in reconciliation.

Adding a further layer of complexity to the situation, there have been rumours of former PML-N members contemplating the formation of a new political party, which added to the intrigue surrounding the party's internal dynamics.