Maryam Nawaz meets ailing PML-N loyalist in Zafarwal, slams PM Khan, NAB

ZAFARWAL: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday travelled to the district in Narowal to meet the 18-year old Zaki-ur-Rehman, a party worker suffering from thalassaemia.

Former prime minister "Nawaz Sharif advised me to go meet Zaki-ur-Rehman in person", she said, adding that her father, currently in Kot Lakhpat Jail, instructed her to give the teen "love and respect".

The former first daughter further expressed her gratitude for her party workers and admirers for coming to see her in Zafarwal. She said: "You all are standing here in rain; I respect your passion!"

While addressing a gathering during her visit, she also commented on the general elections of 2018, criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan, and slammed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

"Nawaz Sharif's victory in the 2018 elections was stolen from him," Maryam Nawaz said, explaining how, under her party's leadership, Pakistan was prospering, power projects were being set up, and terrorism wiped out. She went on to say the ex-premier was removed from power "over a joke of an Iqama issue".

Maryam Nawaz further bashed the Federal Budget 2019-2020, which was presented Tuesday by State Minister for Revenue Hammad Azhar.

"Pakistani people are being given hell through the 2019 budget," she said, noting how no class of people were living a peaceful life at present. "Onion, diesel, tomatoes, and sugar, all have become more expensive now."

In her jibes on PM Khan, also the chief of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), she underscored: "A man who has relied on others throughout his life cannot understand the problems of a common man.

"A man who never worked hard in life cannot understand how roti (bread) is cooked in the home of a hard-working labourer!"

The PML-N leader then hit the NAB as well, saying the anti-graft body "doesn't see past [former chief minister of Punjab] Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi or Saad Rafique".

The anti-corruption watchdog, she went on to say, "doesn't see the incumbent government's ministers either".

"Imran Khan was brought into power. The Election Commission [of Pakistan] possesses proof against Imran Khan and the PTI," she said. "Imran Khan lives in a 300-kanal house yet he pays Rs100,000 in tax."

Pointing out how "no one dares bring this wanted man to the court stand", she talked about how the Bani Gala residence of Khan "was made without an NOC [No-Objective Certificate]".

"Can anyone dare demolish Bani Gala?

"Not only should Niazi be told to go but he should be dropped home as well," Maryam said, using PM Khan's last name.