Erstwhile Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has said that the party’s victory in the upcoming polls will prove innocence of its leaders, including former premier Nawaz, Maryam, Safdar and Hanif Abbasi, “languishing in Adiala Jail”. “Your vote for PML-N will prove their innocence,” said PML-N president while addressing a rally in Multan on Sunday. He alleged that the PML-N was being pushed against the wall, and criticised the arrest of Nawaz and his daughter Maryam. Recounting some of the “achievements” of the former premier, the former Punjab CM said that Nawaz introduced metro bus in Multan, put an end to load shedding and strengthened the country’s economy but even then he was incarcerated. While referring to the life imprisonment of Hanif Abbasi, the PML-N president said that he (Hanif) established playgrounds and gyms and played a constructive role in the development of Punjab, but in return he was jailed on the charges of smuggling and selling narcotics. “Never in the history of the world has any court announced its verdict at midnight,” said Shahbaz. Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he said that Imran Khan ruined Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that the estimated cost of metro bus project in KP had reached Rs 68 billion from the initial estimation of Rs 14 billion. “No pir (spiritual leader) will be able to conceal your (Imran’s) corruption, he thundered. He further added said that elections were only two days away but the provincial government and courts had been failed to stop “pre-poll” rigging. If this (rigging) happens, I will not be able stop people who will rise against such tactics,” he added. PML-N candidates Ali Khokar, Asif Rajwana, Zafar Raan, Waheed Arayin and others were also present on the occasion. Published in Daily Times, July 23rd 2018.