Nawaz revives ouster question in G-B rallies

Ex-PM seeks performance-based support in June 7 polls Links stalled progress in region to his disqualification P

GILGIT:

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday revived his longstanding question as to why he was ousted from power as he kicked off the PML-N election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).

"Why was I removed from power? Why was I sent to jail? This is also something to think about… I do not want to go into details, but it is a reality," Nawaz said addressing a public gathering in Gilgit city during his one-day visit to the region.

He coupled the question with a rare complaint directed at supporters, saying, "It is also your fault that you allowed someone like me to be exiled repeatedly."

Nawaz, who served as the country's prime minister thrice, was disqualified by the Supreme Court in July 2017 for not disclosing in his nomination papers the salary he received as a board member of a firm owned by one of his sons.

Accountability courts later sentenced him to prison in two of the three corruption cases filed against him in view of the order of a Supreme Court bench, which was originally formed to hear a suo moto case related to the Panama Papers scandal.

The accountability courts' verdicts were, however, set aside by the Islamabad High Court in 2023, after the formation of a PML-N led coalition government.

Marking the formal start of his party's campaign for the upcoming G-B elections Nawaz said he would personally oversee development projects in the region and ensure their completion.

"I will monitor the new projects in G-B myself. Whether you vote for me or not, I will still speak to [Prime Minister] Shehbaz Sharif about resolving your issues," he said.

He emphasized tourism promotion as a key priority, saying it could generate employment opportunities for the local population. He also announced scholarships for students and distribution of laptops, reiterating that his party seeks votes based on performance rather than criticism of rivals.

The former prime minister strongly criticized the region's infrastructure and power situation, noting that some areas face up to "20 hours of load-shedding," which he termed unacceptable.

"If our government is formed here, I will visit every two to three months and ensure that the projects we start are completed," he said.

Referring to demands for a share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, Nawaz said a committee had been formed in 2017 to address the issue but its work was interrupted by his disqualification.

"Had we not been removed, this work would have been completed," he said.

He lamented what he described as neglect of G-B despite its importance, particularly as a hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"I want to ask why Gilgit has been ignored. Look at the broken roads—it pains me," he said, questioning why the Mansehra-Gilgit road project had not been completed.

The former PM claimed that major projects in the region, including hospitals and hydel power schemes, were initiated by his party. He cited the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, saying Rs100 billion had been allocated for land acquisition during his tenure in 2015 but the project remains incomplete.

"Had our government continued, these issues would not have persisted," he added.

He reiterated that PML-N does not rely on negative campaigning. "I am the same Nawaz Sharif who does not seek votes by criticizing others—we ask for votes based on our performance," he said, while expressing concern over the lack of investment in public welfare.

The PML-N president arrived in Gilgit earlier in the day, where he was received by party leaders including Amir Muqam, former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman and Muhammad Safdar Awan.

Senior party figures accompanying him included Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Pervaiz Rashid, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Anusha Rehman and Kazim Pirzada.

During the visit, Nawaz Sharif also met party leaders and PML-N ticket holders contesting the G-B elections, as the party intensifies its campaign in the strategically important region.