'What a roti costs today?' Nawaz Sharif laments present Pakistan situation, praises India for reaching moon

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has praised India and acknowledged that while neighboring countries have made great strides, Pakistan has lagged behind. Speaking to PML-N cadres in Islamabad, Sharif highlighted the dire economic situation in Pakistan. The 73-year-old PML-N leader, who returned to the country from London in October ending a four-year-long self-imposed exile, who is running for Prime Minister a fourth time. He is the only Pakistani politician who became the prime minister of the coup-prone country for a record three times.

"Our neighbours have reached the moon but we haven't even risen from the ground so far. It can't keep going on like this," Sharif said. "We have been responsible for our own downfall, otherwise this nation would have reached a different place. We shot ourselves in our foot," he added.

Nawaz Sharif highlighted the achievements of his previous tenure, including ending severe load shedding of electricity, building highways, and initiating the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for development and keeping inflation under control.


Expressing concern over the present crisis in Pakistan, he pointed out the significant increase in inflation, mentioning that a roti that used to cost Rs 2, which now Rs 30. Pakistan is grappling with very high inflation. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, annual short-term inflation surged 43.16 per cent in the week ending on Dec 14, fuelled by price surge in food items.

He also mentioned the registration of 'fake cases' against him and other PML-N leaders, which were later struck down by courts.


Furthermore, Sharif emphasized the importance of women's development in Pakistan, stating that nations that have achieved development have prioritized women's participation. He called for women to be equal participants in the country's development and work alongside men.

Sharif reiterated his call for accountability for those responsible for his ousting as the country's prime minister in 2017. He emphasized that he has no interest in seeking revenge but believes that those who are responsible should be held accountable, stating, "I have no right to pardon those who are the enemy of the people."

It is to be noted that Sharif had been ousted from power three times, in 1993, 1999, and 2017. He expressed his disappointment with the judiciary for legitimizing military dictators and questioned their actions regarding prime ministers and the dissolution of parliament. (With ANI inputs)