Maryam mocks Imran for seeking US support.

LAHORE -- Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's political scion Maryam Nawaz has said May 9, 2023 and May 28, 1998 are two dates that show the difference between the ideologies of two politicians.

'Every citizen feels proud of the day [May 28, 1998] when Pakistan became a nuclear power. But every Pakistani hangs his head in shame for what took place on May 9,' Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior vice president said on Sunday.

Maryam was addressing a rally in Lahore held in connection with the 25th anniversary of Pakistan's nuclear tests. 'On May 9, Pakistan saw scenes which we had only seen in Afghanistan earlier,' she added.

On May 9 violent protestors vandalised and set fire to dozens of state and military properties and memorials after paramilitary rangers arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan from the premises of a court in Islamabad.

Maryam, who has been a vocal critic of the establishment in the past, thanked the military for defending the country's nuclear programme.

She also expressed gratitude to other law enforcement agencies and the politicians, scientists and engineers who played crucial roles in Pakistan's nuclear programme.

Maryam took a jibe at Imran Khan, saying: 'If a coward was leading Pakistan on May 28 1998, he would have hidden with a bucket over his head'.

Calling the PTI chief 'jackal', she said he was begging the US for help during 'tough times' after accusing it of toppling his government through conspiracy. 'Brave nations are led by brave leaders,' she added.

Maryam, the scion of the Sharif family's political dynasty, said the PTI chief while 'sitting in a bunker in Zaman Park inciting his supporters to violence'.

However, the person she paid glowing tributes to was her own father, Nawaz Sharif, who, she claimed, rejected billions of dollars just to make the country invincible.

'Nawaz Sharif was on a foreign tour when India tested its nuclear weapons. He immediately telephoned the relevant officials and asked in how many days could Pakistan carry out nuclear tests.

'Nawaz was told that such tests could be conducted in 17 days. And after 17 days Pakistan did test its nuclear weapons,' she said.

Chagai-I was Pakistan's first public test of nuclear weapons. Its timing was a direct response to India's second nuclear test Pokhran-II, on May 11 and May 13, 1998.

According to Maryam, then US president Bill Clinton had then offered to give the country $5 billion just to...