Shehbaz has shown bravery and stood by party's manifesto despite odds, says Nawaz Sharif

(Karachi) Former premier and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has said that Shehbaz Sharif has shown exemplary bravery and boldness and stood by party's manifesto despite odds.

Speaking during the PML-N's Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting via video link on Wednesday, Nawaz said: "Shehbaz Sharif served the country with honesty and I salute him."

He added that the former Punjab chief minister worked day and night and established power houses to generate electricity in the province.

He highlighted, "I am proud of the PML-N president who stood by his brother in hard times and did not succumb to government's pressure." He said that the treatment being meted out to our children and PML-N leaders by government institutions is shameful and condemnable.

"I cannot live like a slave anymore in my country and have decided to live an honourable life," he remarked. He said, "If people stood against this government, change will become inevitable."

"The credit for Punjab's development goes to Khwaja Asif Shehbaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi."

Nawaz pointed out that former finance minister Ishaq Dar also played a pivotal role in uplift of the country as he provided funds for the projects. "I also salute those government officials who played role in controlling energy crisis in the country during PML-N's government tenure."

Criticizing the government, he said that the country is in grip of economic crisis and joblessness. The government has failed to provide relief to people while inflation has raised manifolds.

"People tell me that someone else is running the parliament. Other people come and give directions about the day's agenda and voting on bills etc," he said.

Nawaz said the Pakistan Democratic Movement will implement on its agenda and will initiate a movement against the government.

This is the second speech by former premier after his first appearance during the All Parties Conference. In his earlier speech, Nawaz Sharif said that his fight is against "those who selected Imran Khan".

He claimed that those who "followed the Constitution are languishing in jails and facing politically motivated cases."

Former PM Nawaz, who was convicted on corruption related charges by accountability court after a long court battle in the wake of ICIJ's Panama Papers leaks, was allowed to leave jail for London last year due to "serious issues to his health".

The PML-N leader also criticized state institutions and accused the government of rigging the 2018 elections.