Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart Hamza Shehbaz said on Wednesday that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return will be tantamount to the day of the ‘’public referendum.’’

Addressing a workers’ convention in Lahore, Hamza said, ‘’Right now, the country needs a saviour to pull it out of the economic quagmire. The saviour named, Nawaz Sharif will put the country's economy on track.’’

‘’The entire country, including Punjab and Lahore, is busy giving the beloved leader, Nawaz Sharif, a historical welcome on his return on October 21.'' Hamza added.

He recounted that Lahore was and will be the stronghold of the PML-N.

Hamza hoped that the prices of the basic amenities of life and petroleum products would be slashed and unemployment would be ended. ‘’There is a dire need to take all-out steps to provide relief to the masses,’’ the former Punjab chief minister added.

– Iqbal bemoans Nawaz's ouster –

PML-N senior leader Ahsan Iqbal bemoaned today the ouster of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, the former planning minister asserted, ‘’Nawaz Sharif was ousted through the worst conspiracy. Even those elements of conspiracy who were involved in conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif eventually gave witnesses of his innocence.’’

‘’Nawaz Sharif was disqualified under the guise of Iqama when nothing surfaced against him. The country had to suffer a great deal with that conspiracy,’’ Iqbal added.

He took a swipe at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, saying, ‘’We are facing the consequences of the experiment of imposing the PTI chief on the country. The person who never even managed the matters in line with the union council was made the country’s premier.’’

He recounted the PML-N-led government’s contributions, saying, ‘’After 2013, we [PML-N] ended the menace of terrorism.

Iqbal was of the view that the country’s again needed Nawaz Sharif to take it out of the quagmire. The leadership of Nawaz Sharif will be vital to pulling the country out of all the crises, he added.

Iqbal admitted that the country’s youth were falling prey to hopelessness. He expressed optimism that his party will start a new journey that will prove to be a ray of hope for the country’s youth.