LAHORE
\nFormer three-time prime minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has declared that the time has proved beyond doubt that he was absolutely right to oppose the war in Kargil and that if his party wins elections again he would try to better relations with all neighbours including India.
\nAddressing the party leaders and workers during the sixth meeting of the parliamentary board in Lahore on Saturday, Nawaz Sharif maintained that they had opposed the Kargil war.
\n\u201cWe said there should be no war in Kargil. Was it for this that I was removed from power? We were right. Today time has proved that we were right. We did the right thing. Our decision taken at the time was correct.\u201d
\nAs the former prime minister again asked why he was repeatedly removed from office when the steps taken by his governments were helping Pakistan march forward. \u201cWe should know [the reason] why we [my government] was toppled again and again.\u201d
\n\u201cWhy I was removed in 1999? Was it because of Kargil [the adventure launched by the then army chief Pervez Musharraf after Pakistan and India signed the Lahore Declaration],\u201d he said and added that time had proved that the decisions taken by the then government were right.
\nThe PML-N Quaid said he had never hesitated while taking bold decisions, whenever it involved the question of the country\u2019s respect and dignity. He cited his decision to test nuclear bombs in May 1998.
\nThe former prime minister said Pakistan cannot make progress when its relations with neighbours are not normal. \u201cHow could it be possible that your neighbours are unhappy with you and you rise on the world stage,\u201d he asked.
\nNawaz Sharif said Pakistan needs to mend its relations with India, Afghanistan and Iran. \u201cWe need to strengthen our affairs with China also,\u201d he added.
\nHis government was able to ensure the visits of Indian prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi during the previous two terms, said Nawaz who champions the cause of regional connectivity and peace, and stressed the need for resolving issues and improving relationship with the neighbouring countries.
\nNawaz Sharif said some characters had surfaced and destroyed Pakistan at a time when the country was on the path to development during his last government \u2013 the 2013-17 stint.
\nNawaz questioned why the country was handed over to an amateur \u2013 with reference to his conviction in the cases related to Panama Papers and the 2018 elections which was widely believed to be rigged.
\nThe former prime minister recalled how country\u2019s economy prospered during his government until 2017 but then he was replaced with an \u2018anaari\u2019 (amateur) person, who mismanaged the economy and ruined it.
\nNawaz Sharif said every time he became prime minister he dug deep and properly handled the issues, but he still did not know why his government was thrown out.
\nMoving forward, Nawaz said the 2017 episode was designed to sabotage the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), recalling that Chinese President Xi Jinping had told him personally that \u201cthe CPEC is a gift to you.\u201d
\nHe said Pakistan would have defaulted if the PDM had not decided to intervene as the everything had paralysed by 2022 \u2013 last year which saw the removal of PTI government through a no-confidence motion to be replaced by the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition arrangement.
\nNawaz said electricity tariff had increased only because of the PTI, adding that devaluation of rupee was the reason behind the unprecedented inflation in the country.
\nNawaz, who stands for a strong currency and low interest rates, said electricity tariffs had increased only because of the PTI, adding that devaluation of rupee was the reason behind the unprecedented inflation in the country.
\nHe told the PML-N leaders and the candidates applying for party tickets that they would be victorious in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, as he eyes a fourth term \u2013 a feat which was unimaginable for many till a few months back.
\nIn 2018 too, the PML-N was set to win the elections on the basis of its performance, as suggested by the opinion prevailing during that period in 2017, he said.
\nBut, he added, everything was managed and fabricated since 2017 to get the desired results in 2018.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE Former three-time prime minister and PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has declared that the time has proved beyond doubt that he was absolutely right to oppose the war in Kargil and that if his party wins elections again he would try to better relations with all neighbours including India. Addressing the party leaders and workers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":360099,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[642],"class_list":{"0":"post-373427","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national","8":"tag-nawaz-sharif"},"yoast_head":"\n