ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday lamented being dubbed as the “establishment’s man”, saying that he met the army’s top leaders only for the country’s betterment and not personal gains.
“I am called the establishment’s man, but I didn’t care about those taunts […] I never met them for personal gains and the only motive behind those meetings was to ensure that the establishment and governments take the country forward together.”
He made these remarks after the inaugural of the newly-constructed Bhara Kahu bypass project in Islamabad. He said that during his 38 years career in politics, he met several army chiefs but to ensure that “Islamabad’s government and Rawalpindi’s establishment remain on the same page”.
“I have met many army chiefs during my time in politics […] but the only idea behind it had been to take Pakistan to such a level for which scores of Muslims sacrificed their lives.”
The premier mentioned that there were reports that he was “very close” to former president General (retd) Parvez Musharraf. “…but what did I get? Nawaz Sharif was put into jail and so was I. He went to Attock, so did I. He went to Landhi jail, so did I. Nawaz Sharif was exiled, so was I. Even my family was exiled.”
“But what did I get? Nothing. There was only one thought in my mind […] to work for the underprivileged,” the PM mentioned. PM Shehbaz also appreciated the Army Chief for his dedicated support for the Bhara Kahu project.
