PTI, PPP assail splashy 'welcome for a convict'.

LAHORE -- As the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif made a 'grand comeback' to the country, both the PTI and the PPP on Saturday slammed the PML-N supremo's power show for what they deemed as a 'misuse of state resources to welcome a fugitive criminal'.

The grand event, touted to be a display of power elicited scathing criticism from PTI and PPP - a former ally of the Nawaz-led party - who rued that a 'convict' had been allowed to present his 'resume' and not narrative.

In a statement, the PTI claimed that a 'concerted effort' was made to facilitate the return of Nawaz Sharif, calling him an 'incompetent and convicted individual'.

The party's spokesperson highlighted the 'futile attempts' to secure public support through 'inducements' such as 'motorbikes, biryani and promises of salvation' during the address at the Minar-e-Pakistan.

The PTI 'vehemently' condemned the 'misuse of state resources and machinery to welcome a fugitive criminal,' the statement read.

Despite the lavish expenditure and strategic mobilisation, those responsible for the nation's deteriorating state of affairs will ultimately face accountability, with no place to hide, the statement added.

The PTI spokesperson claimed that preferential treatment was given to 'convicted criminal (Nawaz)', and raised concerns about the 'state's role in facilitating his return to Lahore, despite his evasion of accountability'.

The spokesperson observed that justice and moral values were 'undermined' for the sake of return of a 'perpetrator', and reiterated the commitment to bring the looted wealth back to the nation, despite any and all attempts at evasion.

'Question mark on judiciary'

Separately, PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi termed the Minar-e-Pakistan public gathering a 'disappointing' event, saying a 'convict' presented his 'resume' instead of his narrative during his speech.

In a statement released by the party's media cell, he raised concerns about the judiciary's credibility due to the manner in which the fingerprints of a criminal (Nawaz Sharif) were taken with protocol.

Read More: Nawaz promises no 'politics of revenge' upon return to Pakistan

Kundi was referring to Nawaz's arrival in the federal capital in the afternoon where he completed legal and biometric formalities for bail in his court...