Shehbaz declares victory over ‘political revenge’

Khawaja Asif derides newly-appointed PTI chief Barrister Gohar as 'protege' of Zardari

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE:

Celebrating ex-PTI chief Imran Khan’s removal from the top slot as a triumph over political vendettas, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said the politics of revenge has been defeated and now the attention must be turned towards ending economic issues.

He said the era of political revenge had met its defeat, leaving behind the pressing challenges of inflation and economic turmoil.

The former prime minister lamented the squandered national time and resources during Imran’s tenure, citing the extensive misuse through abusive tactics and character assassinations. "Our people and our nation bore the brunt of a vindictive political agenda," he claimed.

Declaring the era of political retribution to be at its end, Shehbaz said, "Now is the time to combat inflation and economic downturns."

He made these remarks during discussions with party stalwarts and former national and provincial assembly members.

Read also: PML-N, PPP cry foul over PTI polls

Shehbaz attributed the current economic crisis besieging Pakistan to the four years of detrimental policies under the PTI-led government, alleging that this period of destruction had paved the way for the prevalent hardships faced by the masses.

Urging to now turn the attention to important issues, the PML-N leader underscored the indispensability of political stability in addressing the country's economic woes and assured a united front under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, aiming for the betterment and welfare of Pakistan and its citizens.

"The upcoming elections hold immense significance in rescuing our people from the onslaught of inflation and other adversities," he claimed. However, he clarified that his party championed the economic interests of Pakistan over mere electoral victories.

‘Zardari’s protégé now PTI chief’

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Khawaja Asif took a sharp swipe at the election of Barrister Gohar Khan as the new PTI chairman, likening the handover of power from Imran Khan to a "protege" of PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari.

Asif took to social media to deride Gohar, highlighting his previous association as a member of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) and his candidacy in the 2008 elections under the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari.

The PML-N leader criticized Imran Khan's choice of a leader whose allegiance had been with Zardari for a significant 14-year tenure.

He said the move meant sinking ground for PTI's cadre and leadership.

The pointed remark from the former defence minister came in the wake of Gohar's ascension to the position of party chief following intra-party elections held on Saturday.

"Imran Khan liked a 'diamond carved by Zardari sahib' so much that he handed over his chair to him," he wrote on the microblogging platform X.

تحریک انصاف کے نئے چئیرمین کے2008-2022تک 14 سال آصف زرداری قائد رہے ۔ 2022 میں PTIمیں آۓ۔ایک سال کے اندر عمران خان کو زرداری صاحب کا تراشہ ھیرا اتنا پسند آیا کہ اپنی کرسی اسکے حوالے کر دی۔ اور اپنے پرانے ساتھیوں کو کوڑا کرکٹ کر دیا۔ اپنی غیر حاضری میں وہ اپنے پرانے ساتھیوں پہ… pic.twitter.com/siV5nFhtWO

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 3, 2023

He stressed that the former premier was not willing to trust his colleagues who have been with him for years. "It is difficult for a person who has deceived people all his life to trust others," he added.