We Will Not Take Revenge Against Political Opponents: Shahbaz Sharif After Ouster Of Imran Khan

Islamabad, April 9 : Opposition leader and joint opposition candidate for the post of Prime Minister, PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif said late on Saturday that the joint Opposition — once it forms a government in Pakistan — would not take revenge against their political opponents. “We are grateful that a new dawn is breaking, a new day is beginning,” he said to loud thumping of desks in the National Assembly after the ouster of Imran Khan as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Referring to his brother and former PM Nawaz Sharif, who was jailed, Shahbaz said: “The way Mian Nawaz Sharif was thrown into jail, the way our mothers and daughters suffered… We don’t want to look back, but to take our country forward.” “When the time comes, we will speak in detail, but we want to heal the wounds of the nation; we will not send innocent people to jails, and we will not take revenge,” Shahbaz said, noting that the law will take its course without interference. “…we thank everyone for their sacrifices, and now, once again, a Pakistan based on the Constitution and law is about to come into existence,” the PML-N president told the National Assembly. “Neither I, nor Bilawal, and nor will Maulana Fazlur Rehman will interfere. Law will be upheld and we will respect the judiciary,” Shahbaz said, thanking PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq for chairing the historic session. In a historic first for Pakistan, Imran Khan was ousted as the prime minister of Pakistan from office through a no-confidence motion after the NA debated on the matter for more than 12 hours and the political situation in the country took a critical turn. The session was chaired by Ayaz Sadiq — a member of the panel of chairs — after speaker Asad Qasier resigned from his post. “174 members have recorded their votes in favour of the resolution, consequently the resolution for the vote on no-confidence against Mr Imran Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, has been passed by a majority,” Ayaz Sadiq announced after the process of voting was completed. “I would like to congratulate the whole nation and this House, as for the first time in the history of the country, a no-confidence motion has succeeded and we have made history,” said PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto. Speaking on the occasion, the PPP chairman recalled what had happened on April 10, adding that on this day, the country approved the 1973 Constitution. “On April 10, 1986, Benazir Bhutto ended her self-imposed exile and arrived in Lahore to launch her struggle against Ziaul haq,” said Bilawal. The PPP chairman said that on April 10, 2022, the person who was declared “selected” by the Opposition and proved himself to be an “undemocratic burden” on the country saw the end of his rule. “Today, on April 20, 2022, we welcome [you] back to the purana Pakistan,” said Bilawal. The lawmaker from Larkana said that he had joined the National Assembly only three to four years ago, adding that whatever he has learned during this time is probably more than he had learnt throughout his life. “I have a message for the Pakistani youth that they should never give up on their dreams as nothing is impossible. Democracy is the best revenge. Pakistan Zindabad,” said Bilawal. The opposition’s no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan succeeded an hour past midnight on Sunday, with 174 members in the 342-strong house voting in favour of the resolution.