As the election campaigns intensify ahead of the February 8 polls, Maryam Nawaz, Senior Vice-President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), launched a scathing attack on political opponents. She asserted that they were responsible for their own downfall, emphasizing that her father, Nawaz Sharif, did not engage in conspiracies to oust anyone.
Speaking at a political gathering in Nanaka Sahib, Punjab, Maryam responded to various allegations against her party and its leader, accusing them of plotting against the then Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
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Addressing the opponents, Maryam stated, “Nawaz didn’t remove you; you shot yourself in the foot… You are responsible for the destruction of your own party.” Both the PTI and PML-N’s former ally, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have raised concerns about an uneven playing field and preferential treatment for the Nawaz-led party.
Tensions between the two parties have escalated recently, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari leading the party’s election campaign, often taking digs at the PML-N.
During the rally, Maryam also tackled allegations against Nawaz, referring to him as a “ladla” (blue-eyed boy), and clarified, “It is said that Nawaz is a ladla, yes, but he is a ladla of the masses.” These remarks seemed to allude to statements made by PPP’s Bilawal, accusing Nawaz and his party of relying on factors other than the people’s support to secure the prime minister position for the fourth time.
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Discussing the party’s priorities if elected, Maryam emphasized that the PML-N is not in competition with any political party but is focused on addressing issues such as inflation and high electricity bills.
Reflecting on her father’s removal from office in 2017, she asserted that the three-time former prime minister was ousted through conspiracy, rigging, and foul play. Urging the public to give Nawaz another chance to serve, she lamented the repeated removals of the party supremo from office.