PML-N denies that its leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ever demanded a deal with the government for his return. PML-N MNA Javed Latif made the statement while talking to a private media channel.
Important to note, Nawaz Sharif has been living in London ever since 2019 with the federal government demanding his return on several occasions.
The MNA’s statement came soon after DG ISPR’s strong words rejecting any deal with Nawaz Sharif. In yesterday’s press conference, Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar called speculations on a deal with Nawaz Sharif “baseless.”
Read more: DG ISPR responds to question on deal with Nawaz Sharif
To clarify, talks of a possible deal surfaced owing to the intense narrative building by PML-N regarding Nawaz Sharif’s return. Senior representative of PML-N Ayaz Sadiq said that Nawaz Sharif will soon return. He himself will go to London to accompany him on his way back to Pakistan.
Similarly, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that her father is desperate to return to the country and will do so soon. As a result of PML-N’s confident statements on Nawaz Sharif’s return, it was being assumed that Nawaz Sharif will return owing to a deal with the establishment. Moreover, PM Imran Khan also taunted that Nawaz Sharif will not return without striking a deal first.
“When he [Nawaz] had gone to Saudi Arabia, we used to hear that he was [either] coming today or tomorrow. He will not return unless their is a deal,” PM Khan had said.
However, DG ISPR rejected any notion of a deal. Javed Latif also stated that the PML-N never talked about or demanded any deal.
Read more: Govt to take legal action against Shehbaz Sharif for Nawaz’s return
Never talked about a deal: Javed Latif
Javed Latif expressed elation at DG ISPR’s statement that it will finally put the matter to rest.
“We never said anything about a deal neither did we request one,” Javed Latif said.
Javed Latif also categorically denied Ayaz Sadiq’s statements on Nawaz Sharif’s return saying that it is against the party’s policy. He also clarified that whatever Ayaz Sadiq said was in enthusiasm.
Javed Latif further stated that it was PM Khan and Shehzad Akbar who made the claims about a deal. In response, the anchorperson stated that Javed Latif too gave the impression that Nawaz Sharif will return because of a deal. He played a clip from earlier this year where Javed Latif said during a media briefing that those who ousted Nawaz Sharif are bringing him back.
However, the PML-N MNA stated that he never used the word “deal” anywhere. He reiterated that Nawaz Sharif will return and that too because he made a deal with the public.
“The public put their trust in Nawaz Sharif and gave him respect and because of the public, Nawaz Sharif is returning,” Javed Latif said.