Nawaz urges PTI founder to practice humility as workers protest in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Amid ongoing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in various parts of Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif urged imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan to practice humility and avoid making grand promises.

“You reap what you sow,” said the three-time former prime minister while addressing a ceremony for the “Apna Ghar Apni Chat” housing scheme. His remarks came as PTI supporters and workers staged anti-government protests in Punjab on Wednesday.

Without explicitly naming PTI, Nawaz criticized the ruling party of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suggesting it had little interest in the province’s development. He hinted at the PTI protesters, stating, “They come to Punjab with tear gas shells.” He also questioned PTI’s achievements, asking which of their grand promises had been fulfilled. “Their performance is zero, and they protest at every opportunity,” he said, adding that such elements should be dealt with firmly.

Nawaz expressed frustration with his supporters, stating that they remained silent when he was ousted from power in 2017. He noted, “Proud and dignified nations always raise their voices against injustice,” wondering why his removal wasn’t questioned, despite the positive developments under his government.

He also criticized PTI’s failed initiatives, including the Billion Tree project, the 350 promised dams, and their pledge to build 5 million houses, none of which had materialized. He accused PTI of promoting violence, bloodshed, and a politics of protests.

Reflecting on his time in office, Nawaz highlighted his administration’s achievements, including the expansion of motorways and highways, introduction of metro bus services, elimination of terrorism, stabilizing the rupee, and making Pakistan a nuclear power. He lamented that his government had even moved away from the IMF, only for his successors to bring it back. He argued that if his 1990 government had continued uninterrupted, Pakistan’s development would have been the envy of the world.

Nawaz further expressed dismay over being removed from office three times—in 1992, 1999, and 2017—believing this hindered the country’s progress. He recalled the Panama Papers scandal that led to his most recent ouster, criticizing the Supreme Court for disqualifying him over a minor issue. He questioned the whereabouts of the judges responsible for his removal.

He also claimed to have an audio recording of the then-chief justice, allegedly saying, “We have to keep Nawaz and Maryam in jail and bring Imran into power.”

Condemning Imran Khan’s “double standards,” Nawaz mentioned visiting Bani Gala after the 2013 elections, only for Imran to later orchestrate a protest plan in London. He referenced the four-month-long sit-in protest in Islamabad and revealed that his military secretary had advised him to leave for Lahore due to the volatile situation.

In a final remark, Nawaz pointed out that the man who once vowed to put a noose around his neck is now in jail himself, advising Imran to learn humility and avoid making exaggerated claims.