LAHORE: On Tuesday, PML-N leader and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s independent candidates were welcome to form a government as long as they could demonstrate a majority in parliament.
At the PML-N office in Model Town, Lahore, Shehbaz told the reporters, “We will gladly take up the role of Opposition.”
The former premier stated that other parties will form a government if independent candidates endorsed by Imran are unable to secure a majority. He stated that in order to establish a coalition, the PML-N was in talks with other parties.
The PML-N president questioned the rationale for stirring up controversy and generating predictions about the outcome “when only 10 to 12 percent of the results were available on election night.” He questioned, “Why did Khawaja Saad lose if there was election rigging?” and emphasized the logic of such activities.
He cited the loss of top party politicians in Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Abbottabad, highlighting the “absurdity” of accusations of vote-rigging and the politicians’ ongoing defeats.
Shehbaz remembered the moment the RTS system failed during the 2018 elections. He pointed out that whereas findings for rural areas were instantaneous, those for metropolitan areas were at least 66 hours behind schedule. He emphasized that the PML-N opted to sit in parliament and protest peacefully rather than using the streets.
As for the charges of rigging, leveling the playing field, and attacking the Election Commission, the former prime minister said that 35 seats were accused of being rigged in 2013. It was then made clear that there was no such incidence. He emphasized that they “rejected the narratives of setting parliament on fire or engaging in civil disobedience,” emphasizing that their goal was to serve the country within the confines of the constitution.
While talking about significant occurrences that took place under Imran’s administration, Shehbaz mentioned the refusal to talk about Kashmir Day, the strike by the Indian Air Force, and how the Covid crisis was handled.
He described how the PML-N faced these difficulties head-on and steered clear of conflict and provocation. The PML-N president criticized the PTI founder’s activities and brought up the drastic measures taken to keep out of communication with the opposition.
“For four years, the prime minister entered parliament through the back door so that he wouldn’t have to shake hands with the opposition; it was extreme fascism,” Shehbaz stated.
The former prime minister emphasized the unlawful acts committed by the president and others, alluding to the united opposition’s resolution to hold a vote of no confidence in 2022. Shehbaz referred to the National Assembly’s dissolution by President Alvi as “a terrible past” and stated, “We must unite to handle all of this.”
“We saved the state in sixteen months.” If not for the PTI administration, the nation would have defaulted.”
He emphasized the necessity for cooperation in order to overcome the obstacles and preserve the state, notwithstanding the “violent past.”
Shahbaz congratulated the newly elected members of the PML-N, including Rana Fayyaz from PP-49 Sialkot and Wasim Qadir from NA-121 Lahore, during a meeting. In addition to thanking the party for accepting him, he emphasized the necessity of national cooperation, solidarity, and consensus-building in order to meet the difficulties that lie ahead and bring prosperity to Pakistan.
