ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has promised to return to his country when his ailing wife, Kulsoom, regains consciousness. He has not, however, given a specific date for his return.
Addressing a news conference in London on Friday, Sharif questioned Friday's verdict against him by an accountability court, claiming that it did not prove corruption against him in any way.
“I still don't know what I did, who I stole from, and why I am being punished,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the accountability court had sentenced the former prime minister to 10 years in prison for buying luxury apartments in Britain which cost far beyond his stated income.
Sharif harshly criticized state institutions, blaming them for interfering in the country’s politics.
“I have held the flag of this nation high for the people of Pakistan,” he asserted. “It is for them to join me and break these shackles. Until citizens are given their rights, I will continue my struggle for them.”
Sharif maintained that Pakistan was going through “a defining moment” in its history, saying it was time to “change the country” for the better.
He also questioned the transparency of the upcoming elections, asking: “Many people are questioning the purpose of announcing the verdict three weeks before the polls. What is the point of that?”
He added: “I will stand with the people against all those who have been stealing the votes of ordinary Pakistanis.”
The former prime minister also wondered why his daughter was being punished. “Is it because she does not bow to anyone? Is it because she questions what should not happen in the country? This punishment has not come from the judiciary: It has come from somewhere else.”
Sharif maintained his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party had diligently served the people, claiming it had transformed the country into a nuclear power, fought terrorism, reduced power outages, and accomplished much in terms of infrastructure development.
He also issued a warning to his rival factions. “A few years from now, all these parties will say what I am saying today. They want to take the establishment’s help (to come into power), but they will soon realize that they were just its puppets.”
He also made an emotional statement during the press conference, mentioning his wife who is on ventilator, fighting for her life. "It is my hope that I am able to at least speak to my wife of 47 years before I leave for Pakistan,” he said.
Maryam, who was sitting right next to her father as he addressed the media, claimed that she has been punished for being Nawaz Sharif’s daughter. “Anyone who has spoken against or protected Pakistan from those who pull the strings in our country’s political arena is targeted.”
She added: “I want to live in Pakistan, and I want my children and grandchildren to live there without fear of being shackled or silenced. I don’t want a Pakistan with parallel governments.”
