World
Neither India Nor US To Blame, 'We Shot Ourselves In The Foot,' Says Former PM Nawaz Sharif On Pakistan's Woes
Nayan Dwivedi
Dec 20, 2023, 10:43 AM | Updated 10:43 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
On Tuesday (19 December), Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister of Pakistan, stated that neither India nor the US are to blame for the financial difficulties of his country.
Instead, he implied that the country's own actions, particularly those of its powerful military establishment, are at the root of its problems, using the metaphor "we shot ourselves in our own foot," as reported by Livemint.
Speaking to aspirants of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket, Sharif, eyeing an unprecedented fourth term, highlighted his removals from power in 1993, 1999, and 2017.
He pointedly laid blame on internal factors, particularly the powerful military's manipulation of the 2018 elections, leading to economic suffering and people's hardship.
The 73-year-old leader also criticised judges for endorsing military dictators while approving the removal of a prime minister and the dissolution of the parliament.
Nawaz, returning from a four-year exile in London in October, holds the distinction of being Pakistan's only politician to serve as prime minister thrice.
He drew parallels between his abrupt status change in 1999 and 2017, citing unfair oustings.
Recently acquitted in the Al-Azizia Steel mill corruption case, Sharif continues to shape Pakistan's political narrative.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Nayan Dwivedi is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.