Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a fiery speech on Wednesday, accused PTI leader Imran Khan of attempting to incite conflict between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Speaking at a housing project ceremony in Lahore, the PML-N leader likened Khan’s actions to those of ancient Central Asian invaders, alleging that the imprisoned PTI chairman sought to provoke a clash between the two provinces.
Sharif refrained from directly naming Khan but criticised his approach, stating, “You are behaving like the invaders from Central Asia who attacked Punjab in ancient times. Instead of inciting the people of KP to invade Punjab, you should focus on serving them.” He further urged PTI supporters to question Khan on his unfulfilled promises, such as providing five million houses during his tenure.
Sharif also lambasted the PTI’s governance in KP, where the party has been in power for three consecutive terms. “His performance was zero,” Sharif said, emphasising the failure to meet the expectations of the people of KP. He accused the PTI of focussing solely on protests and street riots rather than governance.
The PML-N president’s critique came nearly a month after he proposed an all-encompassing dialogue to address the country’s ongoing crises. However, his proposal gained little traction amid the government’s intensified crackdown on the PTI following a public gathering in Islamabad. In response, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowed to escalate the situation, claiming a ‘revolution’ had begun.
Sharif also revisited his ousting in 2017, blaming the judiciary for his removal over a minor technicality in the Panama Papers case. He accused the judiciary of colluding to bring Khan to power, referencing a leaked audio of former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar. “What did they achieve by removing me? The country was progressing under my leadership,” Sharif questioned, expressing frustration over being repeatedly denied the opportunity to complete his tenure.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who also addressed the gathering, criticised Khan for spreading unrest. She pointed out that Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, had done little for the people of KP, asking, “Has the person sitting in Adiala Jail ever said the people of KP need better facilities?” She added, “Political activity may be allowed, but terrorism is not.”
Maryam also sent a strong message to PTI supporters from KP, saying, “Punjab’s doors are open for healthcare, jobs, and education, but not for chaos.”
