Nawaz says his ouster triggered inflation

HAFIZABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif pledged on Thursday to empower Pakistan and make it “stand on its own feet” once again.

Address his first public rally at Hanif Muhammad Stadium Hafizabad ahead of February-8 elections, he said he had been ousted from power for not receiving salary from his son, adding that had he not been ousted from power, roti/naan would have been available for four rupees even today, and there would have been no hike in rates of electricity and gas.

The three-time premier said had his government been allowed to complete its tenure, not a single youth would have been unemployed today. “Farmers would have seen prosperity at that time, power and gas tariffs would have not been hiked, and the country would have gotten rid of inflation,” he added.

Nawaz said Pakistan would have gained a prominent status globally if he had not been ousted from the prime minister’s office again and again. He regretted that five judges terminated the representative of 250 million people of Pakistan illegally. Emphasising his commitment, he declared that his mission was to rejuvenate Pakistan again.

Later on, PMLN Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz addressed the rally participants. She said she had witnessed the fervour of the people and she was confident that the lion, the electoral symbol of the PMLN, would roar on February 8.

She recalled that before departing from London for Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif had conveyed a message: “We are people of May 28, and we are not people of May 9.”

She said these dates -- May 9 and May 28 -- encapsulate not merely two events, but 76 years of history. She said those attempting to destroy country, and those building it continuously have separate history in the country. Maryam said a true sympathiser did not hand one a petrol bomb or incite attacks on defence installations. “A genuine advocate for people, Nawaz Sharif aims to bring ease to people’s lives,” Maryam said adding that in the event of PMLN’s success, people would have electricity and gas in abundance across Pakistan, coupled with efforts to provide free electricity below 200 units for the people.