Opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Thursday said that he feared clash between the institutions.
While speaking in a TV programme, he said, “Many problems can be solved if institutions work together”. Speaking about ISPR Director General Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor press conference, Shah said that Ghafoor’s statement that “silence is also an expression” can be understood in a myriad of ways.
“There is a lot of material in this statement,” he added. He also remarked that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has tried to derail the government in the past. “We never tried to derail PML-N’s government.”
Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari had shown interest in meeting Nawaz, however, Nawaz has closed all ways to meet or contact him, Shah said. “Nawaz could have handed over the chairmanship of PML-N to someone else after getting disqualified,” he pointed out, adding, “Even after disqualification, Nawaz selected a new PM and cabinet.”
“This was the time to strengthen state’s institutions for the sake of democracy.” Speaking about PPP’s government, he said, “We restored judges and increased the number of judges.” He claimed that PPP had restored former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. However, Chaudhry had claimed that he was restored by the army chief.
Mentioning the issue surrounding suggesting a name for National Accountability Bureau chairman, Shah explained that discussions were ongoing in the matter. “Will talk to all political parties in this regard,” he said, adding that there was no deadlock with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf regarding NAB chairman issue.
He also said that he has met PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who submitted him the names PTI has decided for the position of NAB chairman. “PTI has submitted many names. It is possible a name could come from the forefront from this list,” he remarked. “I will try my best to go with opposition’s decision.”
He claimed, “We will take the matter to Supreme Court if no consensus is reached.” Shah shared that his biggest accomplishment was saving the parliament from splitting. “Parliament was in the process of splitting when protests were going on in Islamabad.”
