Nawaz says he doesn't seek power, rather accountability for 'injustice'

• "Some wounds never heal, but I never lost patience," Nawaz says.
• Three-time prime minister regrets being put in jail, convicted.
• Nawaz demands accountability for false cases against PML-N.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif Friday demanded accountability for the alleged injustice he suffered in 2017, claiming that he was not hungry to come back into power.

The Supremo Court disqualified Nawaz in 2017 following the Panama leaks scandal, with the PML-N claiming that the party supremo suffered injustice and that his removal was baseless.

Nawaz went to London in 2019 and lived there in self-imposed exile for four years before returning to Pakistan in October this year; since then, he has been getting relief from the courts, strengthening his bid to become the prime minister for the fourth time.

In his address to the PML-N’s parliamentary board meeting in Lahore, Nawaz said: “Some wounds never heal, but I never lost patience.”

The three-time prime minister said if the PML-N comes into power following the general elections, the rulers’ task would be to take Pakistan out of the “quagmire” it is stuck in. “We have come on the [political battle] ground with an intention do so something.”

Without naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Nawaz said a “playboy” was brought into power who had no clue about what he should do after his government was formed.

“He was unaware what Riasat-e-Madina was and what the lessons needed to be learned from it,” Nawaz said, slamming the PTI chief’s rhetoric that he wanted to establish a state in line with Islamic principles.

Recalling the years of PTI’s tenure, Nawaz said he was thrown into jail and convicted. “Me, my brother, my nephew, and other leaders were put into jails. You [Imran] committed wrongdoings.”

Nawaz wondered who would hold those who made false cases against PML-N leaders accountable. He claimed that by putting politicians in jail, the former government had damaged the state.

The general elections are set to take place on February 8, 2024, with political parties holding consultations, rallies, corner meetings, and roping in prominent politicians as they gear up for the major event.