Nawaz Sharif talks to the reporters. File photo

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has dubbed as a stunt the grand national dialogue that he said has been tossed over by those brought Imran Khan to power by stealing the 2018 general elections.

He did not mention a recent meeting of Functional League Secretary General Muhammad Ali Durrani with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and leader of opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, but he spurned what Durrani has been asserting about launching a national dialogue after the session.

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Nawaz Sharif said the purpose of this grand national dialogue stunt was to arrange an "NRO” (amnesty) for the incompetent, corrupt government and selectors. "Our struggle is meant for solving people’s hardships and get respect for the vote. To become part of any such dialogue will amount to stepping back from this sacred objective.”

Shahbaz Sharif (centre) arrives for hearing in the court. File photo

The former premier said 220 million of Pakistanis who were suffering because of this "gift” imposed on them by the selectors were asking why he was brought to power by stealing votes. This person, he said, does not have capability, competence, experience or preparations, Sharif said and added that after the "confession of crimes” by the selected, the confession of the selectors was being awaited.

At the same time, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also turned down the proposal to hold grand dialogue. So did Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazl, who said that all opposition parties are united on one platform and their demands are the prime minister’s resignation and free and fair elections.

He said that any personal opinion of any opposition leader should not be construed as PDM’s stance. He said that the Functional League was B-team of establishment whose people are performing duties designated to them. He added that Shahbaz Sharif was a prisoner, so anyone can meet him but such things cannot influence standpoint.

Ms Nawaz asserted that the PDM would not enter into any kind of negotiations with the government amid calls for a dialogue. She that the PML-N leadership backs PDM's decision to avoid holding talks with the government, adding that mini or grand dialogues hold no importance.