GUJRAT, Dec 26: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif has blamed the Chaudhrys of Gujrat for betraying him for their personal gains, saying that he himself sacrificed a lot for the party and the country. He was addressing big election gatherings in Gujrat, Lala Musa, Kharian and Sara-i-Alamgeer on Wednesday.

Mr Sharif said that Pervaiz Elahi used to say that Nawaz Sharif would not return to Pakistan before 2010 but “…look it is 2007 and Nawaz Sharif is addressing a big public gathering in the hometown of Chaudhrys”. He criticised the Chaudhrys for supporting a uniformed president, saying that a true follower of the Quaid-i-Azam could not support a dictator. He also lashed out at President Pervez Musharraf for, what he said, bowing to a phone call from US President George W Bush after attacks on the World Trade Center. But he refused to accept then US president Bill Clinton’s requests for not doing the nuclear tests in 1998.

He said that because of the failed economic policies of the Musharraf regime, poverty had increased because of flawed policies and corruption by the rulers in the last eight years. He urged people not to vote for those who had plundered more then Rs100 billion in the last eight years but did nothing for the poor man. He also criticised the Musharraf regime for killing people in military operations in Swat, tribal areas, Balochistan and Lal Mosque.

GUJRANWALA: Addressing public gatherings in Kamoki, Rahwali, Ghakkhar and Wazirabad while on his way to Gujrat, Mr Sharif said he remained twice Punjab chief minister and twice prime minister but his opponents could not prove any corruption against him. He said an army dictator terminated his government for his vested interest while the Chaudhrys and their followers also joined him for a share in the government. He said people would impeach them and all the wealth would be taken back from them. He said all deposed judges would be reinstated ensuring the freedom of the judiciary and media after the PML-N would be in power. He said the PML-Q could not win even a single seat if free, fair and transparent election were held.

SHEIKHUPURA: Mr Sharif was given a warm welcome in Muridke, Ferozewala and other places in the district while on his way to Gujrat. In Muridke, he said the Jan 8 would bring about a good omen for the country when the public’s vote would bury the so-called politicians supported by the army rule. He urged the people to elect PML-N candidates.

He said former rulers were responsible for inflation and judicial crisis in the country. He alleged the Chaudhrys had smuggled wheat to earn maximum wealth causing shortage of flour in the country.