LODHRAN: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday told a rally in Lodhran that decisions are made through voters’ thumbs and not by the umpire’s finger. “You have proved that decisions are made by thumbs of the voters and not the umpire’s finger. You have restored the sanctity and respect of vote,” he said in his first address in Lodhran after the PML-N’s recent win in the by-polls. “Ladla (favourite) says he will learn a lesson from the loss in Lodhran. No, he will not learn a lesson … the people will teach him one,” Nawaz said in a jibe at the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief. He said his political opponents did nothing other than telling lies to the people and hurling false allegations, whereas PML-N actually served the masses. “Ali Tareen said before election that they have already won the poll but only need to extend the lead.” Referring to the upcoming elections, Nawaz said the people have a huge decision to make. “Whatever has been happening in this country for 70 years has to change. We have to protect the sanctity of the vote,” he told the crowd, adding that the result of Lodhran by-election will be seen throughout the country in the upcoming general elections. Nawaz said he has been serving the masses since 1985 and after him Shehbaz Sharif has been serving the people. “I am not the prime minister anymore. They have slapped charges of corruption on me, none of which have been proven. I was disqualified on the basis of not taking a salary from my son.” Published in Daily Times, February 18th 2018.