Neither India Nor US To Blame, 'We Shot Ourselves In The Foot,' Says Former PM Nawaz Sharif On Pakistan's Woes

On Tuesday (19 December), Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister of Pakistan, stated that neither India nor the US are to blame for the financial difficulties of his country.

Instead, he implied that the country's own actions, particularly those of its powerful military establishment, are at the root of its problems, using the metaphor "we shot ourselves in our own foot," as reported by Livemint.

Speaking to aspirants of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket, Sharif, eyeing an unprecedented fourth term, highlighted his removals from power in 1993, 1999, and 2017.

He pointedly laid blame on internal factors, particularly the powerful military's manipulation of the 2018 elections, leading to economic suffering and people's hardship.

The 73-year-old leader also criticised judges for endorsing military dictators while approving the removal of a prime minister and the dissolution of the parliament.

Nawaz, returning from a four-year exile in London in October, holds the distinction of being Pakistan's only politician to serve as prime minister thrice.

He drew parallels between his abrupt status change in 1999 and 2017, citing unfair oustings.

Recently acquitted in the Al-Azizia Steel mill corruption case, Sharif continues to shape Pakistan's political narrative.