Nawaz questions abrupt exit of Justice Ahsan

PML-N supremo says, ‘a guilty conscience needs no accuser’

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif stirred the political pot on Monday, casting doubt over Justice (retd) Ijazul Ahsan’s unexpected resignation while asserting that “a guilty conscience needs no accuser.”

Addressing a lively rally in Lahore’s NA-130 constituency, where he is poised to re-enter the political arena after a lifted lifetime ban, the former premier vehemently maintained his innocence.

Nawaz Sharif, who recently emerged victorious in corruption cases upon his return from a four-year self-exile in London, took a swipe at the judges who had convicted him in 2017, pointing out that they have left one by one.

آپ بتائیں مجھے , اس محبت , خلوص , پیار اور عشق کا میں کیسے جواب دوں؟ کبھی کبھی سوچتا ہوں کہ آپ مجھ سے اتنی محبت کیوں کرتے ہیں؟ آپکا اور میرا ایک ایسا رشتہ ہے جس پر مجھے فخر ہے ناز ہے۔

قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/czTPb3epVZ

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2024

“I was innocent. The judge appointed to monitor my cases, on the verge of becoming the chief justice in eight months, resigned because a guilty conscience needs no accuser,” he added.

He maintained that the charges against him were baseless and reiterated that he was innocent when convicted.

میرا دل چاہتا ہے میں آپکے لیے وہ کچھ کروں جس کی آپ مجھ سے توقع کرتے ہیں۔ الحمدللہ اللہ کا شکر ہے کہ آج میں سرخرو ہوں , آپ بھی جانتے ہیں کہ نوازشریف بے قصور تھا , اسے جان بوجھ کر سزائیں دی گئی اور سزائیں دینے والے جج ایک ایک کرکے رخصت ہوگئے

قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/16HhLElXj3

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2024

The PML-N supremo’s remarks come as Justice Ahsan, having previously served as the monitoring judge overseeing Nawaz Sharif's corruption cases, recently exited the judiciary, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his abrupt departure.

Expressing pride in his service to the country during the rally, Nawaz said, “I am proud that I have served my brothers and sisters. If I had not done anything, you would not have loved me like this.”

نوازشریف تھا تو گھروں میں سکون تھا , خاندان سکون کی زندگی گزار رہے تھے مہنگائی کا کوئی نام و نشان نہیں تھا , پیٹرول , آٹا , گھی , چاول , روٹی سستی تھی 4 روپے کی روٹی تھی آج 20 روپے کی ہوچکی ہے

قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/X8oI8r8edy

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2024

He said that despite the legal battles, he stands vindicated before the people. He vowed to continue serving the nation and expressed a deep desire to fulfil the expectations of the public. “My heart wants to do everything for you that you expect from me. I tried sincerely before, and I will leave no stone unturned in the future too,” he declared.

خوشحالی کو واپس لانا ہے , آپکے گھروں کو بسانا ہے , ان نوجوانوں کو روزگار دینا ہے , اپنے ملک کو اوپر اٹھانا اور سبز پاسپورٹ کی عزت کروانا ہے اور پاکستان کو ایک خوددار ملک بنانا ہے

قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/a54zvIPrXj

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2024

Turning his attention to the current state of the country, the former premier criticised the rising cost of essential commodities. He reminisced about his tenure, stating, “When Nawaz Sharif was in power, there was peace in the homes, there was no sign of inflation, everything was cheap.”

He lamented the current economic situation, highlighting the increase in the prices of basic items.

آپ نے انشاءاللہ مسلم لیگ ن کا ساتھ دینا ہے اور ہم پھر سے اس ملک کو اپنے پاؤں پہ کھڑا کریں گے

قائد مسلم لیگ (ن) محمد نوازشریف pic.twitter.com/zkwjWxcYB9

— PMLN (@pmln_org) January 29, 2024

Nawaz posed a rhetorical question, asking who was responsible for the economic downturn and the inflationary pressures on the citizens.

He pledged to bring back the ‘golden era’ of prosperity, promising to create employment opportunities for the youth and restore the honour of the green passport.