Maryam Nawaz: Imran Khan’s Troubles Are of His Own Making
Maryam Nawaz: Imran Khan’s Troubles Are of His Own Making
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday attacked imprisoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, asserting that his challenges are a consequence of his own actions.During her speech at the Honhaar Scholarship Programme ceremony in Sargodha, she asked, “How can someone who exploits the youth for political gain find peace?”She encouraged students to remain loyal to their country “under no circumstances,” emphasizing that anyone who incites violence and chaos is not a true friend.
“His children are outside while he urges others to engage in destruction and disorder,” Maryam remarked, referencing the May 9, 2023, events and the “final call protest” scheduled for November 26.Khan is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail, facing multiple charges related to the unrest that erupted following his arrest on May 9. The protests led to significant damage to both public and private property, including military sites, and resulted in the tragic loss of at least eight lives, with many others injured. This turmoil prompted the authorities to detain thousands of PTI supporters.During her address, the Punjab Chief Minister expressed sorrow for the youth misled by Khan’s rhetoric, now finding themselves behind bars. “All these incidents stemmed from one person’s ambition for power,” she stated.
Maryam also mentioned the military court’s sentencing of Hassan Niazi, lamenting that the PTI founder’s nephew “disgraced the military’s uniform and brought shame to our nation.” She noted, “He [Niazi] received a ten-year sentence… his future has been ruined.”
Last month, military courts issued sentences to an additional 60 individuals, including Hassan Niazi, for their participation in the riots that occurred on May 9, bringing the total number of convicted individuals to 85. The international community, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, has voiced concerns regarding the military courts’ sentencing of civilians, asserting that such convictions contravene international law.
Maryam criticized the deposed prime minister, suggesting that he is experiencing “karma,” and recounted her arrest during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which occurred in the presence of her father, Nawaz Sharif. She reflected on her time in Adiala Jail, where she learned of her mother’s passing. Emphasizing the emerging opportunities for national development, she stated that she could not initiate a scholarship program if her focus were on “turning off someone’s air conditioner or heater.”
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