LAHORE: The daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, on Saturday warned that those “conspiring against the PML-N will gain nothing except defeat”.
While talking to journalists during her visit to NA-120 constituency in Lahore, she said the PML-N was united and would remain so.
She said that 72 people leaving the party could only be a ‘wish’ of someone, not a reality. “The time has changed now… people have stopped getting afraid.”
“The party believes in politics of serving the people,” she said. “By the grace of Allah, we will win the 2018 general election.”
The NA-120 seat was won by Kulsoom Nawaz in September after the former premier was deposed. Since Kulsoom was diagnosed with lymphoma and was undergoing treatment in London, Maryam ran the election campaign.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore, on Friday initiated the process to place ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and four of his family members – including Maryam Nawaz – on the Exit Control List (ECL). The other members of the family who may face travel restriction are Sharif’s sons Hussain and Hasan, and son-in-law Capt (r) Muhammad Safdar. An accountability court had earlier declared Hussain and Hasan proclaimed offenders for skipping court proceedings in references pertaining to their family’s Avenfield properties, Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, and Flagship Investment Ltd.
To a question related to the cases against her and her family, Maryam Nawaz said she was hopeful for a “better verdict”.
During a separate tour of Lahore, PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz said the PML-N leaders were not intimidated by accountability since they faced similar challenges during Pervez Musharraf’s regime.
“We have some reservations about the current situation. It is crucial that all the requirements of justice are fulfilled.”
In a conversation with media representatives, Hamza assured that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar would “definitely return to the country”. He claimed that Dar had served the country to the best of his abilities.
He insisted that the National Assembly must ensure that the upcoming elections were held on time.
Published in Daily Times, November 19th 2017.
