LAHORE: The term `Ladla` (blue-eyed) seems to haunt the PML-N as party president Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took potshots at those who are calling his elder brother `favourite` of the powers that be.

`Whatever happened in the past (tenures of PML-N) shows that Nawaz Sharif is not a ladla ... someone else is. The plane hijacking case (in 1999) and his ouster for not taking salary from his son (in 2017) prove that Nawaz is not a Ladla but otherwise,` Mr Shehbaz said while talking to journalists at his party`s office.

PPP has been calling Nawaz Sharif `Ladla-II` since his return home from Britain three months ago. The PakistanLAHORE: The term `Ladla` (blue-eyed) seems to haunt the PML-N as party president Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took potshots at those who are calling his elder brother `favourite` of the powers that be.

`Whatever happened in the past (tenures of PML-N) shows that Nawaz Sharif is not a ladla ... someone else is. The plane hijacking case (in 1999) and his ouster for not taking salary from his son (in 2017) prove that Nawaz is not a Ladla but otherwise,` Mr Shehbaz said while talking to journalists at his party`s office.

PPP has been calling Nawaz Sharif `Ladla-II` since his return home from Britain three months ago. The PakistanTehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), on the other hand, says Nawaz is the establishment`s `new favourite` and set to become prime minister for the fourth time `with the blessings of the quarters concerned`.

`There is no truth in suggestions that Nawaz Sharif is using the shoulders of the establishment(to become premier), Shehbaz Sharif said in reply to a question.

The PML-N leader blamed PTI founder Imran Khan for polarisation in society.

`This man has poisoned young minds. We will have to invest in the youth to de-poison them,` he said.

In reply to a question about the party`s manifesto, Mr Shehbaz said: `Our first, second and third priority will be the youth if we come to power.

The younger Sharif further said he was confident the nation would choose `performance, progress, and prosperity over fraud, disaster, and anarchy` in the general election.

`Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz will stand united and lead the nation towards a bright future. This election is a defining moment for the nation`s future,` he said.

Shehbaz said Nawaz was keen to restart the journey where it was broken in 2017. `This will be a double journey a commitment to rectify wrongs and steer the country away from bankruptcy.

`We worked day and night to avert an economic collapse.

Stressing the need for unity, Shehbaz Sharif said: `It is essential for Pakistan to move in one direction.

Nawaz Sharif`s previous tenure is a testament to the positive impact we can make when we work collectively for the nation`s betterment.