Lahore: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is emerging from darkness and moving towards progress.Addressing a gathering of PML-N's Punjab Assembly members in Lahore on Wednesday, Nawaz Sharif outlined what he described as his party's achievements in reversing the country's economic decline.In the meeting, there were Punjab Assembly members from Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, and Pakpattan divisions. The discussions focused on public welfare projects and future political strategies.Nawaz Sharif accused a former political rival of weakening the country's foundations, asserting that his party is now working to restore economic stability. Without naming names, the former premier took a veiled dig at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, blaming him for misgovernance and economic mismanagement. "A dishonest leader who came to power through deceit shook the very foundations of Pakistan," Nawaz Shari f claimed. "But we made sacrifices for this country in the past, and we will continue to do so for its progress."He pointed to a series of recent economic improvements, including a drop in inflation, a surge in the stock market, and a strengthening of the Pakistani rupee. According to Nawaz Sharif, these indicators reflect the positive impact of PML-N's policies and governance.He praised his younger brother Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for spearheading efforts to stabilise the economy, adding that even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged Pakistan's financial recovery."We have turned the tide from economic decline towards progress," he said. "Interest rates have dropped from 22% to 12%, boosting business activity and economic growth." Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan is emerging from darkness and moving towards progress.Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif remarked that improving people's lives was their ultimate reward. She said that Nawaz Sharif is the brand of the developmen t of the country, adding the former prime minister is our identity.The meeting, which included Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and senior party officials, also reviewed ongoing development projects and political strategy. Members of the Punjab Assembly expressed confidence in Nawaz Sharif's leadership, calling him a "symbol of Pakistan's progress and prosperity."Party lawmakers also praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her governance, particularly for reviving inactive government departments and accelerating public welfare initiatives."For the first time, even neglected departments are now actively working," a party member said. "Under Maryam Nawaz, Punjab is witnessing a governance model that follows the development vision of both Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif."The meeting discussed the future political roadmap, with leaders reaffirming their commitment to bringing relief to the people. PML-N members claimed that the "Suthra Punjab" (Clean Punjab) initiative had set a new benchmark in cleanliness and municipal services across the province.The meeting also attended by senior party leaders, including Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Rana Sanaullah Khan, senior minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb, Rashid Nasrullah, Sultan Bajwa, Rana Muhammad Arshad, Agha Ali Haider, Muhammad Hasan Riaz, Pir Ashraf Rasool, Rana Tahir Iqbal, Chaudhary Ilyas, Naeem Safdar Ansari, Malik Ahmed Saeed, Mehmood Anwar and others.