Jails do not scare me, Hamza Shehbaz tells PM Imran Khan

LAHORE: Leader of Opposition in Punjab Hamza Shehbaz said on Saturday that jails do not scare him as he has endured them previously as well through Pervez Musharraf’s 10-year accountability process.

Addressing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers outside his residence in Lahore, Hamza stated: “The nation is awakening. The workers are standing firm here. Our workers are our asset and I respect them from the core of my heart."

Adding that the constitution and law came out victorious today, he went on to say that the PML-N leadership confronted cases and submitted themselves before investigation bodies in spite of their objections.

“Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan to face cases against him, leaving behind his ailing wife. But not a single penny worth of corruption could be proven against the former prime minister," he said.

He went on to state: “We appeared before the NAB despite all reservations and the anti-graft body stated before the court that Hamza Shehbaz was most cooperative of all."

Stating that he had with him the order of court, Hamza added: “Court orders should be respected for the sake of rule of law in the country. You cannot arrest me".

Moreover, he expressed his fear of the country undergoing deteriorating economic conditions saying: “The economic conditions of the country are haunting me today. Niazi sahib, you have deprived the masses of food, while the tests being conducted in public hospitals are costlier than tests in private hospitals.”

Furthermore, he also invited the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government to hold talks with PML-N on the Charter of Democracy and to collaboratively lay out a plan to build up the country’s economy.

“There are ages left for political rivalry. The price of dollar today has been putting a question mark on Pakistan's economy. The economy of the country is declining and there is shortage of capital even for debt servicing,” he said.

"The people have sent us to assemblies. We took oath despite worst rigging, for the sake of continuity of democracy," he added further.

Addressing Prime Minister Imran Khan, Hamza stated: "Niazi sahib, I have faced 10-year accountability by Pervez Musharraf government. I served time in Adiyala jail when I was 18-year-old. Do not try and scare me."