Daily Times

Sir: It was surprising to see Khwaja Saad Rafique, and many other senior PNL-N leaders’ conducting a press conference at 3.30 AM in the morning. As it turned out, they had called the press together to protest the arrests of hundreds of PML-N workers from across Lahore, which had been made in preparation for Nawaz Sharif, and his daughter Maryam’s arrival from London.

A few days ago, as per the Judgment of the NAB courts, both Nawaz and his daughter were sentenced to 10 and 7 years in jail respectively for their involvement in the Avenfield Flats case. Maryam’s husband was also sentenced to a year behind bars, while Nawaz’s two sons, Hassan and Hussain were declared absconders and non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against them.

This judgment is a welcome respite from the daily hum drum of our current political system. Finally some justice was served, yet Nawaz as per usual, has used this episode to cry foul, and try to act like some sort of victim in the situation. His followers have been even worse, as they are willing to overlook his many faults in their blind loyalty. I personally commend the security forces from taking pre-emptive action against PML-N goons that would have most definitely caused havoc in the city, as the Sharifs are set to be arrested as soon as they land. Perhaps this might provide the country with a much needed respite from the political violence witnessed in previous elections, especially in light of the recent bomb blast in Peshawar.

ARSALAN RAI

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, July 13^th 2018.