Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that PTI’s own people, not allies, are a threat to the ruling party.

 “We consider them [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders] our companions. They should also take us as companions, not enemies.”

PML-N vote bank

Responding to questions from the media regarding their role and conduct as ruling coalition partners, Shujaat said, “More than allies, we are their colleagues and we know well how to get along. [Good] allies always believe in unity and equality. No doubt, our party is small in size but we have greater experience [of politics and governenace] as we have earlier governed the country with a two-thirds majority.”

He said the statements issued by Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi or any other [leader or] worker of the party reflect "truth and patriotism".

“Some friends misinterpret [our statements] and show [video/audio] clips [of our statements] to Imran Khan to achieve their personal goals,” he said.

Shehbaz is 'zero' against Nawaz

To a question about the case filed in a London court by PML-N president against a newspaper, Shujaat said, “We will see how long Shehbaz Sharif carries this case."

He recalled, "When world's most popular newspaper, The Guardian, published a false report against us, we filed a case in the Queen's Bench of London High Court through prominent lawyers of Pakistan Ejaz Batalvi and Mahmood A Shaikh. The case ran for three months and we won it. On this, The Guardian published an apology on its front page.”

When asked about Sheikh Rashid’s statement hinting at contacts between Shehbaz Sharif and the establishment, PML leader said PML-N’s vote bank is associated with Nawaz Sharif and not Shehbaz.

“Shehbaz Sharif is [a political] zero before Nawaz Sharif,” he commented.