In an apparent reference to power struggle between ‘establishment’ and elected representatives, former ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif has termed the events of the past 70 years “unfortunate”.

Addressing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers at the Punjab House in Islamabad on Tuesday, the party chief said civilised nations progressed by adopting democratic values whereas democracy was repeatedly murdered in Pakistan.

“Prime ministers are removed, hanged, arrested and sent in exile here [in the country],” he was quoted as saying.

The apex court had directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file references against Nawaz Sharif and his children in six weeks in the accountability court, directing the trial court to decide the references within six months.

The apex court also assigned Justice Ijazul Ahsan a supervisory role to monitor the progress of the accountability court proceedings.

“People and all Mulsim League-Nawaz workers stand with and we’ll soon take the oath for Pakistan’s prosperity,” he remarked.

Nawaz, earlier in the day, appeared before an accountability court in Islamabad which is hearing multiple corruption references against him and his family members.

The former prime minister said he had a lot of issues to speak about in front of the media, which he will do at an appropriate time.

NAB had filed three references on September 8 against the former premier and his family. Another reference was filed against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. The three references against the Sharif family are related to the Flagship Investment Ltd, the Avenfield (London) properties and Jeddah-based Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment.

The former premier and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB references, while Maryam and husband Captain (retd) Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield reference.