Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, addressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, asked whether the individual sitting in jail intended to create division between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab through political chaos. He questioned, “Do you want to create conflict between the people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?”
During his speech at the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ ceremony at the Expo Center on Wednesday, Nawaz highlighted PTI’s failure to fulfill promises made to the people of KP, stating that their performance was zero despite making big claims. He remarked, “The people following [Imran Khan] should ask the person in jail what he has done for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
Nawaz Sharif criticized the PTI leadership, saying they led in violence but were ineffective in governance. He also referred to the use of tear gas by protesters coming from KP to Punjab, calling for strict action against such elements.
He added that Imran Khan, during his time in power, often talked about jailing political opponents, but failed to deliver on his promises. Sharif mentioned that he still possessed an audio recording of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar discussing how Nawaz would be ousted from office and Imran Khan would be brought into power.
Regarding the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ housing scheme, Nawaz said that the PML-N had always focused on using public funds for public welfare, and this scheme was a prime example of providing interest-free loans to help citizens build homes. He lamented that while the PML-N had once ended Pakistan’s reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it was the subsequent governments, particularly PTI’s, that brought the IMF back into the country’s financial matters.
Sharif also touched on the failure of KP’s government under PTI to deliver on major projects like the billion-tree initiative, the housing scheme, and the promised 350 dams. He argued that if the PML-N had been allowed to work without interruptions, Pakistan would have had far fewer homeless people today.
He also criticized the judiciary, referencing his disqualification in 2017, and expressed his disappointment with his supporters for not protesting his removal from power, stating, “Proud nations raise their voices against injustice.”
Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued a strong warning against armed infiltrations from KP into Punjab, reaffirming the region’s commitment to peace. At the cheque distribution ceremony of the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” program, she emphasized that while KP citizens were welcome to Punjab for health, education, and employment, any attempts at inciting violence or protests would be strictly dealt with.
Maryam highlighted the success of the housing loan program, noting that 500,000 applications had been submitted and that loans would be given to build the same number of homes within the next five years. She added that despite multiple protest calls by PTI, very few supporters responded, demonstrating the declining influence of the party.
She pointed out that while KP citizens came to Punjab for medical care and other needs, their leadership had failed to deliver essential services in KP itself. Instead, PTI’s leadership, particularly Imran Khan, had focused on inciting violence and chaos.
Maryam also discussed recent achievements in healthcare, especially heart surgeries for children, including those from KP, and reaffirmed Punjab’s role as a province with a big heart that welcomed all Pakistanis.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif postponed his planned visit to London due to pending constitutional amendment matters. PML-N sources indicated that the former prime minister would delay his trip until the constitutional amendments, expected in the coming weeks, were finalized.
