Shehbaz Sharif, the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), emphasized on Wednesday that the party’s supreme leader, Nawaz Sharif, is not returning to the country with the intent of seeking revenge. Instead, he is returning to lead the nation towards prosperity.
Nawaz Sharif, a three-time prime minister of Pakistan, is scheduled to end his self-imposed exile in London and return to the country on October 21, a move that has stirred significant political interest in the country. Recently, Nawaz Sharif announced plans to hold former judges and generals accountable for their alleged roles in his government’s ousting. In strong language, he singled out influential figures, including former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, ex-ISI chief Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, and former chief justices Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa, as well as Justice Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, characterizing them as “criminals of Pakistan.”
Nawaz Sharif, along with his daughter Maryam and other PML-N leaders, has repeatedly accused Gen Bajwa and Gen Faiz of conspiring to install former premier Imran Khan in power.
Shehbaz Sharif, who is considered to have closer ties to the military establishment, addressed party workers in Lahore, stating, “Nawaz Sharif is not returning for revenge, though everyone knows the culprits behind the injustices he has suffered. As a supporter of Nawaz Sharif, I will stand with him in this endeavor.” Shehbaz emphasized that during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, the chronic electricity crisis that plagued the country for years was resolved, and inflation was under control.
Shehbaz clarified that Nawaz Sharif was not removed from power; rather, the path of public development and prosperity was obstructed. He expressed optimism that Nawaz’s return on October 21 would allow the PML-N to resume the path of progress that had been interrupted.
He urged the public to give Nawaz Sharif a historic welcome to acknowledge the injustices he has faced.
A well-informed source within the party suggested that Nawaz Sharif is now inclined towards a more conciliatory stance, prioritizing economic stability and upholding constitutional principles. This change of heart reportedly resulted from discussions between the Sharif brothers. The source also noted that there was negative feedback within the party regarding Nawaz’s demand for the accountability of former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and ex-director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed.
According to the source, pushing this narrative further would potentially put the party at odds with the establishment, as the institution has historically resisted the accountability of its current or former leaders. Additionally, it could raise questions about Shehbaz’s government having a smooth working relationship with the then army chief Gen (retd) Bajwa. The source suggested that Nawaz would focus on economic issues, unemployment, inflation, and the supremacy of the vote, gradually moving away from the accountability narrative.
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