ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Monday said despite the current situation, thousands of people cast their votes in favour of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Sunday’s by-election which is indicative of the times to come, a private TV channel reported. Speaking to media outside an accountability court in Islamabad, the former prime minister thanked the nation for ‘making the party victorious’. “We received more votes than we expected,” he said. “For the first time in Pakistan’s history, we have seen such a result with the ruling party in power just for 50 to 60 days,” he added. Stating that despite the current circumstances, people came out in droves to vote for the PML-N, Nawaz said, “Shahid Khaqan Abbasi emerged victorious during the by-election and we also almost won from the Rawalpindi constituency. The other seats were not ours bust we still defeated PTI there. These results send out a message and are indicative of the times to come.” Asserting that everyone should pray for the wellbeing of the country, Nawaz said, “As prime minister and Punjab chief minister, I and Shehbaz Sharif fulfilled our responsibilities with honesty and this can be cross-checked. In the last four years, dollar did not exceed Rs104 but you can see where the rate of dollar has gone in the last 50 days.””During our time, things were not this expensive and people were happy,” he said, adding that basic items were affordable and the poor were satisfied. “It is owing to the prayers of these satisfied citizens that the PML-N is emerging victorious,” he said. “All of a sudden everything changed. I was imprisoned and cases are being made against me while Shehbaz has been imprisoned and remanded in National Accountability Bureau’s custody,” Nawaz regretted. “The world knows how cases are being made against Shehbaz and me and everyone has verified this,” he said. “The way Saad Rafique is being treated … it is as if he will be imprisoned tomorrow if not today. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and I are facing a treason case, but God willing, these times will change,” he said. Published in Daily Times, October 16th 2018.