MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: Former prime minister’s daughter Maryam Nawaz Saturday said that Nawaz Sharif’s case was the first of its kind in the country’s history where the verdict was announced before initiation of court proceedings.

While addressing a convention of traders in Lahore as a part of election campaign of her mother Kulsoom Nawaz, PML-N candidate from NA-120, Maryam said that for the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history four decisions have been given in a single case. “Corruption, Panama and Iqama are all excuses to target Nawaz Sharif,” she said.

She said she had brought her father’s review petition to the court of traders community. “Was it not Nawaz Sharif who brought the country out of the power crisis and the menace of terrorism?” she asked. “Each time her father was handed over a ‘broken Pakistan’. Her father strengthened it and built it back again,” she stated.

When the participants of convention chanted slogans against Imran, Maryam, without naming him, said the people of Lahore have rejected conspirators and pawns. “What was turnout in Thursday’s public meeting of the PTI? They should see the writing on the wall,” she further suggested her political rivals. Maryam said that the NA-120 by-poll will decide about the sanctity of votes and rule of public as well as its representatives in the country.

Those who are hatching conspiracies do not understand that Pakistan is changing, she added.

She highlighted the services rendered by the PML-N government and expressed confidence that the PML-N would emerge victorious not only on September 17 but also in 2018 general elections. Later, she led a rally in the areas of Mozang, Temple Road, Main Bazaar and Shadab Colony. She asked the people of the constituency to vote for her mother and pray for her early recovery. “Our mission is to bring progress and prosperity to the country and raise living standard of the people,” she said.