Nawaz's key priority will be economic revival: Shehbaz

Nawaz may still occasionally vaguely mention accountability in speeches to counter perception of U-turn

LAHORE:

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has said that the main goal and agenda of party supremo Nawaz Sharif will be to provide relief to the masses, rescue them from the miserable situation and eradicate economic darkness.

He made these comments during a party meeting to review preparations for Nawaz's return to Pakistan.

The statement from the party president lends credence to the reports that after returning, Nawaz will not prioritise his demand to seek accountability for those he considers responsible for his ouster, rather he will keep his focus towards a public-oriented narrative of economy and law and order.

Shehbaz, according to a statement issued by the party information secretary, said their attention, capabilities and focus was and would be towards providing relief to the people from the problems. He emphasised that the revival of the economy, national unity and eradicating terrorism were their top priorities.

He was presiding over a meeting held at his residence in Lahore on Saturday, where arraignments made thus far by the party regarding Nawaz’s reception on October 21 were reviewed.

The meeting was attended by the party’s chief organiser Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal, Punjab President Rana Sanaullah, senior party leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, Deputy General Secretary Ata Tarrar, party president spokesperson Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Information Secretary Marrium Aurangzeb, senior party Pervez Rashid, Bilal Yasin and Lahore President Saif Khokhar.

Leaders appraised the party president regarding the preparation made for the rally at Minar-e-Pakistan.

The party president praised the enthusiasm of the leaders and instructed them to ensure effective communication with all wings.  He commended Maryam and other leaders for playing a vibrant role in this regard.

Crafting narrative

According to party sources, the leadership has agreed not to further emphasise the narrative of accountability. However, Nawaz Sharif may occasionally vaguely mention the topic in his speeches to counter the perception of U-turn. The focus of the party will primarily be on addressing the issues faced by the people.

One such leader said that the recent press conferences and statements from party representatives, including spokesperson Muhammad Zubair and Javed Latif, demonstrated this understanding.

He said that this understanding was reached after internal consultation and “has nothing to do with anything else”.
He said a legal strategy has also been finalised by the party, but he would not be able to divulge any details.

The leader highlighted that it was obvious that the party would go for bail prior to his arrival and once that happens, the rest would be a piece of cake.

He said that while they do understand that there were no precedents wherein a convict secured a protective bail, they hoped that they would be able to make this a precedent for times to come.

Furthermore, he stated that the narrative committee, of which he is a member, has successfully finished its tasks and feedback and believed that it must have been submitted to the leadership by Marrium Aurangzeb.

He also mentioned that, to the best of his knowledge, the committee held three meetings.