Nawaz Sharif congratulates by-election wins, laments years of economic ruin

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif congratulated all winners of the recent by-elections, saying that “hatred, lies, abusive language, hypocrisy, misconduct, indecency, unrest and discord” suffered a severe defeat.

The three-time former prime minister highlighted the country’s past economic performance, saying growth rose in 2017 and inflation was at 3 percent, while the previous rulers increased inflation to 39 percent before it came down to 4 percent. He said every Pakistani suffered because of their policies.

Nawaz Sharif recalled that Pervez Musharraf imposed martial law in 1999 when the Saudi riyal traded at 11 rupees. He said the country was left in ruin and bankruptcy due to misconduct, indecency, unrest, and discord. He added that if development had continued, Pakistan would have reached new heights without worrying about the IMF or foreign reserves, which were now largely controlled by outsiders.

He said all responsibility for events from 2018 to 2022 rested with the previous government and that people voted based on performance. Nawaz Sharif praised Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, urging everyone to support them. He said in one and a half years, public service records were set, the economy improved, and Pakistan was saved from default and bankruptcy.

Nawaz Sharif also criticized the moral, social, and financial decline in the country during the past government, saying respect for elders and care for youth disappeared. He accused the PTI founder and his supporters of corruption and claimed their narrative falsely accused others while they committed theft themselves.

He highlighted PML-N’s achievements in Punjab, including 120,000 new houses for the poor, free medicines and treatment, scholarships and laptops for students, new hospitals, green buses in cities, and improved law and order. He said the government also helped other faith communities and responded well during floods.

Nawaz Sharif questioned the PTI’s election boycott, noting that some candidates, like Omar Ayub’s wife, still contested. He also criticized inconsistent appointments of officials and said no development projects were carried out during their tenure, while such work always continued during PML-N periods.

Finally, he congratulated all by-election winners again, noting that the PML-N candidate in Haripur won with a lead of 44,000 votes.

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