“Tide has turned… Mr Imran, you can’t save yourself,” says Maryam Nawaz Sharif

New Delhi: The political battle of one-upmanship has commenced in full swing in Pakistan. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday (February 16) said Imran Khan wouldn't be able to "save himself".

"The tide has turned… Mr Imran Khan! No matter how much state's power you use, you cannot save yourself," she tweeted in Urdu.

Maryam's remarks came hours after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested media personality Mohsin Baig after he resisted arrest and fired shots at an agency team. The FIA officials had arrived at his residence in Islamabad to take him into custody. During the arrest, Baig and his son reportedly brandished firearms and opened fire on FIA personnel, injuring one. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media as well. 

She also sought to remind Imran Khan that his rule now resembles the last days of the power of Gen Pervez Musharraf, who in 1999 had staged a coup ousting Nawaz Sharif and was in power for a considerable time.

The FIA cybercrime wing registered a case against media personality Baig at the request of Communications Minister Murad Saeed.

"Your list of crimes not only includes taking revenge from opponents but also using state institutions like FIA to settle your personal score. You will be held accountable," Maryam said. Referring to Imran Khan, she also said he is not some creature who descended from the skies on Earth that people's houses will be raided if someone criticises him.

"My mother in ICU should have been given the same respect which you give to your wife… the mothers and sisters of you political opponents deserve same respect," she lamented.

The PML-N vice president said PM Imran is indulging in a "dirty game" and encouraging his "ignorant ministers" to do the same. "This is how the fear of people like you comes to fore when they start to lose power. Seeing your actions, the last few days of Musharraf [former military ruler] era come to mind," she further wrote, reports from Islamabad said.

Baig was part of a TV panel debate last week, which was discussing Murad's ministry receiving the top honour in a ceremony conducted by Prime Minister Imran to celebrate the top 10 best performing federal ministries. The panel had reportedly made "disparaging remarks" about the minister. The particular TV channel was also served a show-cause notice by the media watchdog, Pemra, reports claimed.

The word of wits between Imran and Maryam Sharif had gone personal in July 2021.

Pakistani Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's former wife Jemima Goldsmith were engaged in a Twitter battle over Maryam's "antisemitic attack" on Imran Khan's children. The controversy arose after Imran Khan took a jibe at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for attending his grandson Junaid's polo match in the UK while he was there in 2019 for medical treatment. Responding to Imran Khan's remarks about her son, Maryam Sharif had said in a rally that Imran Khan's children were being "raised in the lap of Jews".