Nawaz Sharif terms Imran Khan’s facilitators as ‘major criminals’ and demands accountability

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 and called for them to be held accountable.

Addressing newly elected members of the assembly, Nawaz Sharif noted that during Khan’s tenure, the country faced only destruction. “A culture of bad manners was fostered and the country came close to bankruptcy,” he said, adding that inflation under his leadership had been kept at just 3%.

“If the development journey had continued, Pakistan would have an important place in the world today and would not have to worry about the IMF,” Nawaz said.

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 asked. “Profit was trampled on in the last government.”

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

He also addressed PTI’s boycott of Punjab by-elections and noted that despite the boycott call, Umar Ayub’s wife contested the elections. He praised the public for rejecting the politics of lies and hate during the recent elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and congratulated the assembly members for defeating the politics of “abuse, falsehood and turmoil.”

Highlighting the improvements taking place under the current government, the former prime minister said merit-based work is now underway with development projects being implemented, including distribution of laptops, construction of roads and operation of green buses. “The law and order situation has improved, ration cards are being issued without discrimination and more projects will be unveiled soon,” he added.