KP local govt elections: Maryam Nawaz asks PM Imran Khan to go home

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz has doubled down on her criticism of Prime Minister Imran Khan, demanding the premier step down and go home in light of the recent upset in the first phase of the local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Maryam Nawaz was interacting with the press Tuesday after appearing before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Avenfield reference hearing. She blamed the ruling party for the surging inflation across Pakistan.

“Imran Khan, leave poor people alone. Save the bit of respect you have left and go home,” she said.

Maryam warned the PTI leadership that no leader would want to seek an election ticket from the PTI after the recent “embarrassing defeat” of the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“It is the first sitting government in Pakistan that is losing elections one after another,” said Maryam Nawaz.

She said that even the PTI’s lawmakers were criticising their government during talk shows.

Responding to a question about the Avenfield reference, Maryam Nawaz said NAB had failed to produce evidence against her before the court. “The NAB which was earlier seeking day-to-day hearings of the case is now seeking adjournments,” she added.

Answering a question regarding PML-N’s potential candidate to contest the seat of the prime minister in the next general elections, Maryam said that the party has entrusted Nawaz Sharif to nominate the candidate.

“When the time comes, the PML-N will decide who is the most suitable candidate,” she said, adding that it would be a pleasure for her to support her uncle, Shahbaz Sharif, if his name is nominated.

Read more: Wrong candidate selection was a major cause of PTI defeat in 1st phase of KP LG election: PM Imran Khan