–Ousted premier expresses displeasure over failure of Faizabad operation, orders a report be submitted to him
ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed to continue his “struggle for democracy”, saying all civilized countries in the world had progressed through democracy while dictatorships had failed to deliver everywhere.
During an informal address to workers at the Punjab House, Nawaz said, “What has been happening in the country for the past 70 years is very unfortunate. Sometimes the prime minister is removed, at others he is hanged. Sometimes he is arrested and at others sent in exile.”
Sharif said that he will continue the struggle for democracy with his workers and other political parties. “Soon you and I will take a vow for Pakistan’s development,” he told the gathering.
Sharif continued his criticism of the Panama Papers verdict, reiterating that “the people had rejected the court’s decision”.
“Party workers and the people of Pakistan are standing with me,” Nawaz said.
According to reports, the deposed premier was visibly upset at how the Faizabad sit-in had panned out.
Nawaz termed the agreement between the government and Faizabad protestors ‘a shame for government’ and lashed out at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal for signing the same. He also ordered that a report be submitted to him about the Faizabad sit-in as soon as possible.
When Iqbal briefed Nawaz about the agreement with Khadim Hussain Rizvi-led Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah, he expressed annoyance and no confidence over the minister’s performance, saying the sit-in was not handled properly which was tantamount to failure of the government.
“Why was this all done if law minister Zahid Hamid had to resign to end the 22-day-long sit-in,” he questioned, adding that “the way the resignation was taken brought shame and failure to the government and the country”.
Ahsan Iqbal could not satisfy the former prime minister, while other party leaders also expressed reservations over the resignation of Zahid Hamid, observing that it had weakened the government.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also left Ahsan Iqbal alone, and said that the protestors had succeeded while the government failed.
Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, in his meeting with Nawaz Sharif, expressed dissatisfaction over the statement of Ahsan Iqbal and demanded an enquiry into his allegations levelled against him.
Nawaz assured Nisar of dispelling his reservations, as the latter took the former into confidence about his meetings with the military leadership.
The members of the meeting also deliberated over the measures to be taken next in the wake of Zahid Hamid’s resignation.
The corruption references against the former premier and his family were also discussed in the meeting.
Earlier in the day, the accountability court hearing the corruption references against Nawaz Sharif and his family adjourned the hearing as Nawaz Sharif sought suspension of proceedings until the Islamabad High Court (IHC) announces the verdict of clubbing of references into the one.
The hearing was adjourned until Dec 4.
On Monday, the weeks-long protest at Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad was called off following the voluntary resignation of Zahid Hamid from the Law Ministry and an agreement signed between the government and protesters.
