As the political parties gear up for the upcoming 2024 elections in Pakistan, Maryam Nawaz, the Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), responded to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) by expressing her concern over the level playing field her father, Nawaz Sharif, has experienced. She questioned whether others truly wanted a similar playing field, alluding to Nawaz Sharif’s years in exile and prison.
The PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has been advocating for equal opportunities for all political parties in the election. They have accused the caretaker government and the courts of favoring Nawaz Sharif in his legal matters since his return to Pakistan in October.
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During a speech at the PML-N’s youth convention in Gujrat, Maryam highlighted the challenges faced by Nawaz Sharif, stating that he had only been given the chance to contest in an election once in 22 years. She mentioned the emotional October 21 rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, where people, despite earlier skepticism, showed their support for Nawaz Sharif’s political comeback.
Maryam emphasized the hardships her father endured, spending 11 years in exile and facing legal challenges. Despite the slow pace of justice, she asserted that her father was being falsely accused of favoritism. Maryam also aimed Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that he is facing consequences for his actions, including alleged lies and corruption.
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In response, PPP Chairman Bilawal mocked Nawaz Sharif’s aspirations for a fourth term as prime minister, accusing him of coming to power through “selection” rather than a democratic election. Bilawal warned that if such circumstances were repeated, neither he nor the nation would accept the election results.