Panama, Iqama just an excuse, Nawaz was target: Maryam

LAHORE: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said the Panama Papers and Iqama were just an excuse to target Nawaz Sharif but he would assume the prime minister’s office for the fourth time.

She said the verdict of the people’s court in NA-120 would send the message to the entire world that Nawaz Sharif was Sadiq and Ameen (truthful and honest). Addressing the party workers while inaugurating an election office of the PML-N in Mozang Chungi, she questioned if the voters were willing to accept the Supreme Court's decision to disqualify Nawaz, to which the charged crowd responded in the negative. She also asked them if they would stand up to defend the sanctity, honour and integrity of their vote. She asked them if they were charged up to avenge the insult inflicted upon Nawaz through the power of their vote.

Special preparations were made to receive her at the Mozang Road. Maryam’s husband, MNA Capt (retd) Safdar, accompanied her during her visit to the constituency. In order to make arrangements for the event, 500 chairs and carpets were placed at the venue and the otherwise unkempt locality was given a major makeover.

Maryam said conspiracies had been hatched against the PML-N government right from the day one and all the sit-ins, cases and prosecution were just the means used through puppets, as the real objective of the puppeteer was to depose Nawaz.

She said the representatives and leadership of the PTI have been busy trying to overthrow a democratically-elected prime minister, but they did not feel ashamed to come back, asking for people’s vote after disgracing the power and sanctity of vote in the worst possible manner.

On the one hand, Maryam said, a case that started from Panama and ended with an Iqama verdict with severe global criticism and, on the other hand, there was a case that started from Islamabad and ended at Data Darbar whose verdict was celebrated by hundreds of thousands.

The former prime minister’s daughter said her father remained quiet for four years “but now that he is speaking the truth and giving befitting answers to the hypocrite political rivals, why they are complaining about it.”

"Promise that you will vote for my mother, your mother...Kulsoom Nawaz," she said, expressing her confidence that the 'lions of Lahore' would come out roaring in support of the PML-N in NA-120 by-polls.

Maryam initiated a tour of the NA-120 on Tuesday as part of the election campaign for her mother's by-election. Maryam’s first stop was at the Data Darbar to seek the saint’s blessing before commencing the campaign, where she offered prayers.

She told the media that Nawaz would leave for London on Wednesday (today) to visit Begum Kulsoom who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma.   She added that she would also leave for London after the election campaign.