LONDON: Reflecting on the “mistakes” of petty individuals in the past, PML-N Chairman Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that these errors have cost the country and democracy dearly.

Speaking at a workers’ convention at a local hotel, the PML-N chief said that had it not been for this “disturbance”, Pakistan would have been an Asian tiger by now, or even a member of the G20 group of nations.

Although he did not name anyone in particular, from his words it seemed that he was addressing the judiciary, as he recounted incidents such as dismissal from office in The Panamagate case.

“It was done for a personal agenda, not for the benefit of the nation. You know those faces…it is unfortunate that they did it for their petty interests, for meager personal gains, put the country at risk and kept sending prime ministers home,” he said.

He also regretted that a man like him was disqualified from politics for life, dismissed as party chairman and kept out of elections. “What were these decisions? What was the need? Who did this? Was it for the country or a personal whim,” he asked rhetorically.

In a series of references to what he called “erratic behaviour” by judges, he recalled how a judge’s son sought money in exchange for election tickets – a veiled reference to an alleged audio recording in which a voice purported to belong to Najamus Saqib, son of former CJP Saqib Nisar, could be heard demanding money from a PTI ticket aspirant.

He also referred to a judge who was dismissed from office – a reference to the former SC judge Mazahar Naqvi — saying, “Look at his belongings, these are the people who did this.

“It hurts when I think about these things, one cannot criticize these actions enough. It is fortunate now that there is optimism in Pakistan, that it is emerging from the darkness. It is hoped that the country will succeed, the nation will prosper. If we hadn’t been disappointed, there would be jobs for everyone, housing for everyone.”

Mr Sharif was flanked by his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif.

Maryam’s health

In her remarks, Ms. Sharif dismissed rumors about her health. “I have worked very hard in the last 8-9 months. I have a thyroid problem, last year I had an operation. People keep asking me why I can’t be treated at a hospital in Pakistan,” she said.

She said that although all her treatment was carried out in Pakistan, the particular disease she had, which she called “parathyroid”, could only be treated in two countries, in Switzerland or America not even England. “I don’t want to play the victim and talk about my illness,” she said.

A day earlier, Ms Sharif addressed rumors about her health, saying: “My treatment is ongoing but I am fine.”

Khawaja Asif ran away

One video which went viral on social media platforms on Wednesday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif could be seen being trampled on a train in London by an unknown man.

The video shows the defense minister being filmed on a train by a man who later abuses and shouts at him, saying he might be attacked with a knife.

Sources said the incident took place a few days ago in London on the Elizabeth Line.

However, Mr Asif did not mention this incident at the workers’ event on Wednesday night.

Published in Dawn, November 14, 2024