Nawaz, Maryam return home after foreign trip

Maryam travelled to Geneva to undergo medical checkup earlier this month

Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to Lahore on Saturday following an extended foreign visit that included stops in the UAE, the UK, the US, and Europe.

Maryam Nawaz arrived by a special aircraft in Lahore, marking the end of her foreign travels that began on 7 November.

She initially flew to Geneva, Switzerland, where she underwent a medical check-up after reporting parathyroid-related health concerns.

After spending a few days in Geneva, she travelled onward to London for further engagements.

Nawaz Sharif, who departed Lahore for Dubai on 25 October, also completed his overseas commitments.

His tour included multiple locations, meeting with various stakeholders in the UAE, the UK, the US, and European countries.

Nawaz says PTI's Nov 24 protest doomed to fail

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has once again dismissed the upcoming PTI November protest rally, asserting that it will fail to derail Pakistan's progress.

Speaking to the media in London on Saturday before his departure for Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was asked about PTI's protest call and whether it aimed to disrupt Pakistan's economic journey.

"I agree with you but they will fail in their mission," Nawaz replied.

He was accompanied by his daughter and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and his grandson Junaid Safdar.

In response to a question regarding claims that he would remain in London and not return to Pakistan, Nawaz responded, "I will call those people a liar."

Nawaz took another opportunity to criticise PTI's nationwide protest plan and reiterated his condemnation of Imran Khan, the jailed PTI founder.

He said that Imran had done nothing but "bring disrepute to the country" during his nearly four years in office.

"What Imran Khan has done during his tenure that people would take to the streets on his call? Tell me a single [development] project that he could proudly present as evidence of development during his tenure," he added.

Commenting on Pakistan's economic situation, the former prime minister said that the country had "come out of difficulties and is now on the path of prosperity," but lamented that obstacles were still being created in the way of development.

He further criticised PTI for doing nothing but harm to the country, asserting that "they have to be held accountable for such practices before giving a 'call'."

It is important to note that Nawaz had also lambasted PTI a day earlier. "I fail to understand the logic behind Khan sahib's statements. He, along with General Bajwa and Faiz Hameed, left no stone unturned in conspiring against me. If anyone has endured the worst injustices, it is us," he said while speaking to media on Friday.

Reacting to Imran Khan's call for a "final protest" from behind bars, he questioned why people would heed the call of a leader who, he claimed, brought "disrepute to the country" during his nearly four-year tenure.

"What did Imran Khan achieve during his term that would motivate people to protest for him? Can he point to a single development project he can take pride in?" Nawaz said.

"Did he construct a motorway, bring major projects, establish power plants, or resolve the energy crisis? His performance is zero."