Former prime minister and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif has declared that those who supported and helped bring Imran Khan to power are “even bigger criminals” than Khan himself, urging that they must also face strict accountability.
Speaking to newly elected assembly members on Wednesday, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan suffered severe damage during the PTI government. He claimed that the country moved towards destruction, a culture of disrespect grew, and the economy was pushed close to collapse. Nawaz added that inflation rose to 39% during the PTI rule, while under his own government, inflation remained around 3%.
He told party workers that if Pakistan’s development journey had continued, the country would have held a strong global position and would not be struggling with IMF pressure today.
Nawaz Sharif blamed the PTI government for creating chaos, hatred, and false narratives between 2018 and 2022, saying that progress is impossible in an environment where merit is ignored. He insisted that Imran Khan alone should not be held responsible; those who “brought him forward” must also answer for their actions.
Commenting on the PTI’s boycott of the recent by-elections in Punjab, he pointed out the contradiction that Omar Ayub’s wife still contested despite the boycott call. He praised voters in Punjab and KP for rejecting “abusive and dishonest politics,” congratulating the winning candidates for defeating negativity and political turmoil.
The former PM highlighted ongoing improvements under the current government, including merit-based decision-making, new development projects, laptop distribution, road construction, and the expansion of green bus services. He added that law and order has improved, ration cards are being issued fairly, and more initiatives will be announced soon.
