Be a politician, not judge: Malik tells Nawaz

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday asked Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to act like a politician instead of a judge, saying the apex court had not declared Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani disqualified from being member of the parliament. Talking to reporters, Malik said the PM had the right to appeal against the SC verdict in the contempt case, adding that the Sharif brothers were making “contemptuous” statements He said Shahbaz Sharif was involved in inciting the public for riots, which he said was tantamount to sedition. He lashed out at the Punjab chief minister for leading protests against load shedding in Punjab. Malik questioned what resources had Shahbaz used to lead the protests, adding that he had misused national resources. The interior minister said he would soon share proofs pertaining to Sharif brothers’ money laundering worth Rs 32 million dollars with the media. He said the Punjab government wasted money in Sasti Roti Scheme and laptops distribution. Earlier, he chaired a high-level meeting to review law and order in the federal capital. He told reporters that the authorities concerned had been directed to take action against the ‘sheesha bars’. He said all restaurant owners had been directed to shut their units by 11pm. “All restaurants running in residential areas of the city would also be closed down,” he added.