Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reinstated Nawaz Sharif as the party’s president on Tuesday, unopposed, marking his return to the helm after six years of absence following a court ruling that had removed him from office.
Nawaz Sharif, who had previously lost both the prime minister’s office in 2017 and the presidency of his party in 2018 due to the Panama Papers ruling, reclaimed his leadership position as no other party leader contested against him for the top post.
The resurgence of Nawaz Sharif within PML-N comes amid the party’s sustained narrative encapsulated by the phrase “mujhy kyun nikala” (Why was I removed?), reflecting on his ousting from power and the subsequent political fallout.
Addressing the party’s general council meeting following his re-election, the former prime minister lamented the halted progress that Pakistan could have achieved under his governance if not for repeated political disruptions. He expressed a vision where Pakistan would have held a prominent position in Asia had his government’s progress not been impeded.
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Nawaz Sharif criticized the long-standing practice of “leg-pulling” in Pakistani politics, asserting that such actions have weakened the nation since 1977. He emphasized the need for self-reflection, acknowledging that internal challenges have hindered Pakistan’s advancement despite its resilience.
“We should accept that we have shot ourselves in the foot. Believe me, we have never gone to anyone with a begging bowl,” Nawaz Sharif remarked, underscoring Pakistan’s capability to stand independently despite external pressures.
Reiterating his stance on political integrity, the three-time prime minister asserted that he would never have complained if his ousting from the prime minister’s post was due to proven corruption allegations, emphasizing his commitment to transparent governance.
Nawaz Sharif’s return to the forefront of PML-N leadership sets the stage for potential shifts in Pakistan’s political landscape, reigniting discussions surrounding accountability, governance, and the future trajectory of the country’s political dynamics.
