ISLAMABAD/LONDON: Pakistani social media micro-blogging website Twitter deemed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the All Parties Conference (APC) as he said that the opposition’s dispute was not with Prime Minister Imran Khan but those that brought him into power.
Nawaz delivered speech after a long time and breaks his silence on political matters, however, users of twitter were eagerly anticipated his address via video link from London.
The PML-N quid vowed that his party would fully endorse whatever course of action would be decided at the opposition group.
TV anchor Kamran Yousaf lauded the PML-N quid’s speech, “You may be supporter or hater of #NawazSharif, his today’s speech will go down in history as one of the candid and bold postmortem of Pakistan’s chronic problems.”
You may be supporter or hater of #NawazSharif, his today’s speech will go down in history as one of the candid and bold postmortem of Pakistan’s chronic problems.#APC2020
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) September 20, 2020
South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman was of the view that Nawaz Shrif “came out swinging” with a “bold and defiant” speech.
After a long period of public silence, former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif came out swinging today with a bold, defiant speech that was harshly critical of the security establishment. That’s not a new topic for him, but his tone was strikingly sharp & explicit this time.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) September 20, 2020
While television anchor Amber Rahim Shamsi also seconded Kugelman’s view that his speech took no prisoners. She, however, questioned whether the resolution would reflect his talking points.
Mian Nawaz Sharif breaks his silence with a no holds barred speech at the #APC2020 but will the resolution reflect his taking points?
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) September 20, 2020
However, political pundit Mosharraf Zaidi said that his speech “was neither his boldest not coherent or original with respect to context as he has said all this before as well”.
Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the APC was neither his boldest ever (see 2007-2009, and 2017-2018) nor coherent or original with respect to context. He has said all that he said before. Like with Musharraf, the only chance for the opposition is the implosion of the current set-up.
1/n
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) September 20, 2020
Human Rights Minister lashed out at those who believed that the government would not allow Nawaz’s speech to be telecast live.
In a quip, she drew parallels to Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain and Nawaz.
Ah the question they will never answer! Btw what was all the cacophony about not letting NS speech be telecast live? Perhaps those making these accusations should have courtesy to apologise atleast? Absconder rhetoric from London is something we in Pakistan are used to for years! https://t.co/1Mgj1fH5lF
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 20, 2020
Nawaz Sharif tone ‘sharp and words ‘explicit’ in speech
Earlier, while addressing the much-hyped PPP-hosted APC, Nawaz Sharif said that the opposition’s fight was not against Prime Minister Imran Khan but those who brought him into power.
“Our foremost priority should be removing this selected government and this system. Our struggle is not against Imran Khan,” said Nawaz. “Today, our struggle is against those who installed Imran Khan and who manipulated elections to bring an incapable man like him into power and thus, destroyed the country.”
Army stay away from governmental system
“If change is not brought, it will bring irreversible loss to this country. It is very important that our armed forces stay away from our governmental system according to our Constitution and the Quaid’s speech, and not interfere with the people’s choice. We have made this country a joke in our own eyes and internationally as well.”
NAB carrying out only selective accountability
He also repeated the opposition’s allegation that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was carrying out only selective accountability.
‘Democracy in danger’
“If we don’t do it [take a step] today, when will we?” asked Nawaz. “I agree with Maulana [Fazlur Rehman, chief of JUI-F] that we need to make this conference purposeful or people will be disappointed.
Pakistan become laboratory of experiments
“Pakistan has become a laboratory of such experiments. Every child knows that no prime minister has been allowed to complete five years in power. All dictators have spent multiple years while premiers have hardly been allowed to complete their term, he said.
‘Court gives dictators right to play’
“When a dictator was first brought into the courtroom for violating the Constitution, you saw what happened. Court gave dictators the right to play with the Constitution and acquitted someone who broke the Constitution twice Whereas the ones who follow the Constitution are still in jail.”
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