London: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in self-exile in the UK, has made critical remarks about Pakistan's economic situation. He compared it to India's achievements, including reaching the moon and hosting the G20 summit.
Sharif placed the blame on Pakistan's former military and judicial leaders for the country's economic difficulties.
Addressing a party meeting in Lahore via video link, Sharif questioned why Pakistan is seeking financial assistance from other countries while India has made significant advancements. He highlighted India's substantial foreign exchange reserves, which have grown to $600 billion from a mere billion dollars during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure as Prime Minister.
In July, Pakistan received a $1.2 billion transfer from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $3 billion bailout program aimed at stabilising Pakistan's fragile economy.
Nawaz Sharif announced his return to Pakistan on October 21 after more than four years of self-imposed exile. He plans to lead his party's political campaign in the upcoming elections and anticipates a warm welcome upon his return.
During his speech, Sharif criticised the military and judicial establishment in Pakistan, holding them responsible for his removal from office as Prime Minister in 2017. He specifically named then-army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and then-Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief General Faiz Hamid as key figures behind his ouster.
Sharif also targeted former chief justices, Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa, accusing them of complicity with the military establishment. He pledged to hold them accountable for their actions.
While Nawaz Sharif's party prepares for the upcoming general elections, there are suspicions that his party's recent interactions with the military establishment may affect their relationship with other political parties. The Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has raised concerns about the PML-N's alignment with the military, leading to accusations of conspiring against former allies to gain power.
Sharif's return and his party's political activities are expected to reshape Pakistan's political landscape in the coming months.