ISLAMABAD: As Nawaz Sharif returned dwelling, his rivals criticised the previous Pakistan prime minister for utilizing unconstitutional means and the state equipment to stage a political comeback.
Sharif, 73, the three-time prime minister and supremo of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), returned to Pakistan on Saturday, ending his four-year self-imposed exile in London.
His nemesis Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) occasion led the barrage by saying {that a} ‘coward fugitive is returning beneath judicial asylum’.
In an announcement issued on Saturday, the PTI led by jailed former premier Imran Khan mentioned that the “state has buried shame, modesty, law and justice with its own hands” by permitting the “nationwide felony’s return” from London.
“The nation is ready to ‘welcome’ its criminal who has been ‘adopted’ by the state,” the PTI spokesperson said, adding that the people will hold accountable the criminals who have robbed the nation from generation to generation.
The statement reiterated the demand that an immediate holding of transparent, free and fair elections can steer the country out of crisis. The elections are scheduled to take place in January 2024.
PTI secretary general Omar Ayub Khan said the convict was being unjustly and unlawfully facilitated in everything.
“A convicted prisoner got VVIP protocol and the State Room opened at Islamabad Airport to receive him,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s legal system has been completely destroyed by PML-N.
Commenting on photos of Sharif providing his biometrics at the airport, he said: “This picture is not only of Nawaz Sharif’s biometrics but of the funeral of Pakistan’s judicial system. The whole world had seen the coercion and treatment of Imran Khan for the same biometrics.”
PTI senior chief Moonis Elahi mentioned Sharif’s return had been managed.
“By no means within the historical past of Pakistan, a convicted absconder has been welcomed like this,” he mentioned.
Apparently, he mentioned, courtroom workers went to the airport to get his biometric attendance carried out, whereas in sharp distinction, one other prime minister (Imran Khan) was picked up from courtroom whereas giving his biometrics for attendance.
Elahi claimed the Punjab authorities had instructed all deputy commissioners to supply transport in addition to make sure the attendance of presidency workers similar to ‘patwaris’ on the occasion.
“We welcome Nawaz Sharif again however it might have been much better if had come again by means of constitutional means,” PTI leader and former minister Ali Muhammad Khan said.
Pakistan Peoples Party leader Faisal Karim Kundi foresaw support of state machinery for Sharif in elections and warned of consequences.
“He was facilitated by the Punjab government on return…There would be anarchy if Sharif was also facilitated in elections,” he warned.
As the country continues to be torn apart by divisive politics, PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan also suggested President Arif Alvi arrange a meeting between Imran Khan and Sharif to end political tension and heal the country.
“The president ought to name Nawaz and Imran and maintain a gathering,” Khan informed Geo Information, including that Alvi holds a singular place of serving on the highest in the course of the tenures of his occasion and his opponents.
Nevertheless, given the polarisation Pakistan goes by means of at this juncture and the bitter previous, it might be a far cry for enemies like Khan and Sharif to return collectively. Although Sharif in his handle in Lahore on Saturday mentioned he has no want to hunt revenge however needs to finish the nation’s robust financial situations and put it again on the trail of development.