In a scathing critique of the current state of Pakistan, the supreme leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that tabdeeli (change) has brought Pakistan to a dire situation, vowing to bring “good old days” back.
Nawaz used the term tabdeeli to allude to the widely recognised slogan of the former ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which had pledged to usher in transformative “change” across the nation following their victory in the 2018 elections.
However, the party, which has been embroiled in controversy since the events of May 9, faced criticism for failing to fulfil the promises it had made to the people.
Read more: Welfare of people is Nawaz’s agenda: Maryam
“Change has brought Pakistan to a dire situation—there is no electricity, no gas, and everything is expensive,” Nawaz Sharif said during a rally in Punjab’s Burewala. “Is this the people desired? Do they not remember my era.”
Highlighting the contrast between his tenure and the present, Nawaz reminisced, “In our time, the electricity bill was Rs500, and now it has skyrocketed to Rs20,000. Vegetables used to cost Rs10 per kilogram, and bread was available at Rs4.”
“Don’t the people remember the era of Nawaz Sharif? When load-shedding was eliminated and gas prices were low? Don’t you want that era to come back?”
Nawaz asserted that a group of five judges had orchestrated a conspiracy to remove his government. He claimed that his ousting was a result of his refusal to accept a salary from his son and highlighted that he was subsequently imprisoned.
The PML-N supreme leader expressed hope for a positive change with the support of the people. He pledged, “Insha’Allah, with your assistance, we will rescue Pakistan from inflation. We will bring an era where employment is abundant, motorways and highways are constructed.”
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He also hinted at the prospect of establishing a state-of-the-art airport in the Burewala region.
During her address, Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice President of PML-N, asserted that wherever their opponents are holding rallies, the projects constructed by Nawaz Sharif are on display.
She expressed delight at the significant presence of youth during the rally. “I extend my greetings to everyone. It brings great joy to see a large number of young people here. It is painful to witness unemployed youth being ignored,” she stated.
She urged the attendees to cast their votes for PML-N, emphasising that if the people choose the PML-N, the party will tirelessly serve them day and night. “If you vote for the tiger, the PML-N will be successful, and day and night, it will work for your service,” Maryam proclaimed.
Maryam highlighted that if there is a leader in the entire country who cares about the people, is concerned about reducing inflation, and is committed to lowering electricity bills, ensuring gas supply, and providing essentials like bread, flour, sugar, along with improving roads, hospitals, and education, it is Nawaz Sharif.
She credited her father for potentially ending the load-shedding that had plagued the nation. “If Nawaz Sharif can end the load-shedding in three years, it is by the grace of Allah, his hard work, and the love he receives from you,” she declared.