In veiled response to Bilawal, Maryam says parties with empty rhetoric resorting to blame game

• Maryam says all political parties except PML-N have done nothing.
• PML-N leader says "Nawaz will give manifesto in next few days".
• Shehbaz Sharif suggests political rival to abolish "personal prisons".

LAHORE, MANDI BAHAUDDIN: In a veiled response to political rival Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice-President and Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz has said that parties with empty rhetoric are resorting to the blame game.

The remark comes a day after the Nawaz-led party's answer to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman's fiery speeches, which have intensified with every passing day towards February 8 — the day of the most sought-after general elections.

Bilawal, who is a former ally of the ex-former ruling party, has been generously targeting his political rivals, especially the PML-N.

Maryam, while addressing a public gathering in Lahore's NA-119 on Thursday — the National Assembly constituency from where she is a contender for the upcoming polls — said that all the political parties except for PML-N have done nothing.

"Other parties criticise and level allegations day and night," the politician added.

Maryam also said that some parties in Punjab have ruled the province for 15 years but they don't even have 15 developmental projects that they can mention as their service to the masses.

"A person [present] in Punjab is saying that Nawaz Sharif hasn't given the [party] manifesto. Nawaz Sharif will give the manifesto in the next few days," she added.

The PML-N stalwart further said that she's aware that she has to serve the people of the constituency.

The politician then promised the masses that she'll have an active office in the constituency after she wins the elections, to resolve the people's issues and complaints.

Maryam urged the people to think carefully before giving their vote as the vote decides the future of Pakistan.

Separately, PML-N President and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif in his address to a rally in Mandi Bahauddin, also took a jibe at Bilawal without naming him, saying that someone said they would release the political prisoners if they come into power.

"I suggest them to announce the abolition of personal prisons as well," Shehbaz said, adding that his brother Nawaz, who is a three-time former prime minister, would establish a modern university in the city if he is given a chance.

The remark is opposed to Bilawal's stance according to which, Nawaz is determined to harm the country via his "habitual revenge politics" if he comes to power once again.

The former foreign minister, who is also eyeing the prime minister's seat, insists on burying the old ways of politics as opposed to Nawaz, who he says would pursue politics of revenge if he is elected premier for a fourth time.

As the nationwide polls draw closer, the political parties scramble to woo the voters in order to claim success, with Bilawal leading a gruelling four-week campaign but other parties began canvassing just last week.