Elahi accuses Shehbaz of cruelty, refuses talks until ‘stolen seats’ returned

Anti-terrorism court extends PTI leader’s judicial remand for 14 days in judicial complex vandalism case

Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, launched a scathing attack on Shehbaz Sharif, the prime ministerial candidate for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing him of cruelty and harbouring resentment even within his own family.

Elahi's remarks came a day after Shehbaz Sharif's elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, nominated him for the post of prime minister, signaling a significant shift in the power dynamics within the PML-N. Nawaz Sharif himself decided to step back, taking a backseat in the political arena.

Speaking to the media after appearing in the anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Thursday, Elahi asserted that the Sharif brothers had returned to the country with the aim of becoming the "darlings of the establishment", a term suggesting close ties with influential authorities, particularly the military.

Elahi's comments implied that the defeat of PML-N by PTI in the February 8 elections had compelled the Sharif brothers to seek support from powerful entities.

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"Shehbaz Sharif is a very cruel person… he did not even forgive his brother," Elahi remarked, without providing further details on the alleged discord within the Sharif family.

Elahi went on to declare that his party, PTI, would not engage in any dialogue until what they claim to be stolen seats are returned. "There is no harm in negotiation, but the seats taken earlier should be returned first," he maintained, suggesting that PTI believes it lost seats unfairly in the recent elections.

Regarding the election results, Elahi confidently stated that PTI's rivals are now nervous, acknowledging the political prowess of Imran Khan. He pointed out that this election was unique in the sense that no funds were allegedly spent by PTI, highlighting a departure from traditional election practices.

Earlier, the anti-terrorism court extended the judicial remand of Elahi for 14 days in the judicial complex vandalism case.