Nawaz Sharif was removed wrongfully, says Sher Afzal Marwat

Maverick leader Sher Afzal Marwat on Monday claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif was wrongfully removed, alluding to his 2017 disqualification from power over undeclared assets.

Speaking on a private media channel, Marwat asserted, “Definitely, Nawaz Sharif was wrongfully removed. Removing him for not receiving a salary from his son was [unjustified],” adding that Sharif could have been disqualified in the Panama Papers case or the Avenfield case instead.

When told that such remarks might displease many of his companions, Marwat said, “I cannot tell a lie merely to make my party happy. I am a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; I know that [Nawaz Sharif's ouster] decision was not right.”

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) firebrand further alleged that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa was involved in orchestrating Sharif's removal from office, noting that ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar facilitated Bajwa.

“You [Marwat] were a beneficiary [of Nawaz Sharif's removal from power]. One should acknowledge that,” the talk show host said. In response, Marwat asked, “Why are you saying that I was the beneficiary?” adding that he was speaking about Nawaz Sharif not as a PTI leader but as a lawyer.

When asked who was involved in his expulsion from PTI, the maverick leader, without naming anyone, said that the same party leaders who had previously expelled him were behind his recent ouster. “If I announce their names, then [Imran] Khan would be grieved. Khan knows very well who expelled me.”

It should be noted that PTI issued a notification of Marwat’s expulsion on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter), which reads, “Further to the Show Cause Notice issued to Mr Sher Afzal Marwat and his subsequent reply, the party has considered his reply and also his actions subject to the Show Cause notice.”

“Taking both these aspects into consideration and on the instructions of Founding Chairman Imran Khan, Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat is being expelled from the party with immediate effect.”

Revealing that the incarcerated party founder has summoned him to Adiala Jail for a meeting, Marwat said he would visit Imran Khan soon.

“I will not take even a minute to resign,” Marwat responded when asked what he would do if Imran Khan demanded his resignation from the National Assembly, adding that he would not beg to be reinstated in the party.