Former PM Nawaz Sharif Applauds India’s Lunar Feat, Addresses Economic Struggles

Nawaz Sharif, eyeing a fourth term, applauded India’s lunar feats and voiced worries about Pakistan’s economic hurdles. Addressing party members ahead of the elections in the Mansehra region, Sharif acknowledged that neither India nor the US were responsible for the economic difficulties faced by Pakistan, stating unequivocally, “We shot ourselves in our own foot.”

In his speech, Sharif highlighted the contrast, saying, “Our neighbors have reached the moon, but we haven’t risen from the ground.” Following his Tuesday statement, he distanced India and US from Pakistan’s economic issues, emphasizing internal factors as root cause.

Recalling his term in 2013, Sharif highlighted significant achievements, including addressing severe electricity load shedding, nationwide counterterrorism efforts, restoring peace in Karachi, initiating highway construction, and ushering in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), marking a transformative period of development.

Nawaz Sharif took charge of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in October upon returning from a four-year exile in London. Strategically timed with upcoming elections, his return seeks fourth term despite previous removals from office in 1993, 1999, and 2017.

Despite legal challenges, imprisoned ex-PM Imran Khan intends to contest in three constituencies: Lahore, Mianwali, and Islamabad. Despite an Election Commission case conviction, Islamabad High Court suspended Khan’s three-year sentence, allowing his participation in the upcoming elections.

As Sharif and Khan navigate the political landscape, Sharif’s acknowledgment of India’s lunar achievements adds nuance to the regional dynamics, suggesting a measured approach in his rhetoric amidst ongoing electoral preparations.