Nawaz Sharif terms Imran Khan's facilitators 'bigger criminals', demands accountability

Former prime minister praises public for rejecting politics of lies, hatred during recent by-elections

Pakistan Muslim League President Nawaz Sharif has accused those who brought Imran Khan to power of being as guilty as Khan himself and of being bigger criminals, calling for them to be held accountable.

In an address to newly elected members of the assembly, Nawaz Sharif remarked that during Khan’s tenure, the country faced only destruction. "A culture of bad manners was promoted, and the country came close to bankruptcy," he said, adding that during the tenure of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, inflation surged to 39%, while under his leadership, inflation had been kept at just 3%.

“If the journey of development had continued, Pakistan would have a significant place in the world today and wouldn’t have to worry about the IMF,” Nawaz said.

میں سمجھتا ہوں کہ الحمدللہ میں نے اس ملک کے لیے بہت کام کیے ہیں، لیکن شہباز شریف اور مریم نواز میرے سے بھی آگے نکل گئے ہیں۔ یہ حقیقت ماننی چاہیے۔ میں خوش ہوں کہ وہ میرے سے زیادہ ترقی کر رہے ہیں، خوشحال ہیں اور ملک کے لیے محنت کر رہے ہیں۔ ایک ماں باپ اپنی اولاد کے لیے یہی چاہتے… pic.twitter.com/1EKOkAjYE8

— PMLN (@pmln_org) November 26, 2025

Nawaz Sharif claimed that the PTI government was responsible for the state of the country between 2018 and 2022, citing their role in sowing hatred, lies, and chaos. "How can a country develop in such an environment?" he questioned. "Merit was trampled upon in the last government."

He further stated that Imran Khan was not the only wrongdoer, but those who brought him to power were "even bigger criminals" and should be held fully accountable.

He also addressed the PTI's boycott of the by-elections in Punjab, noting that despite the boycott call, Umar Ayub's wife contested the election. He praised the public for rejecting the politics of lies and hatred during the recent by elections in Punjab and khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, congratulating the assembly members for defeating the politics of “abuse, falsehood, and turmoil.”

Former prime minister highlighted the improvements taking place under the current government, saying that merit-based work is now underway, with developmental projects being implemented, including the distribution of laptops, the construction of roads, and the operation of green buses. "The situation of law and order has improved, ration cards are being issued without discrimination, and more projects will be revealed soon," he added.