‘Minus-one’, SC verdict rejected, says Nawaz

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–Ousted premier tells PkMAP rally he was disqualified for not receiving salary when ‘minus-one’ plan failed

–Says PML-N and PkMAP tied in ideological bond

 

QUETTA: Reiterating that he was being targeted in the name of accountability, ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said that he was disqualified for not receiving salary from his son’s company when the “minus-one plan” failed to achieve the objective.

Addressing a rally of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) on the occasion of the 44th death anniversary of Abdul Samad Khan Achakzai at the Ayub Stadium in the provincial capital, Nawaz said, “I have never compromised when it comes to the law and constitution, nor I will compromise now.”

“When you couldn’t find an excuse for minus-one [formula], you disqualified a prime minister for not receiving a salary from his son,” he said, adding that no one could “minus-one” a person who has been “plus[ed]” by the public.

Speaking without the protective shield that is usually present in front of the rostrum during his addresses, Sharif said he had asked for the glass screen to be removed as it was an “obstruction”. He said his security is in the hands of Allah so he doesn’t need the protective glass.

“People have rejected the [Supreme Court’s] decision against me,” he said, adding that a JIT was formed to probe the allegations against him “and the same bench gave several verdicts”.

Criticising the members of the SC-sanctioned Joint Investigation Team (JIT), Nawaz said, “Diamonds were inducted into the JIT after picking them painstakingly.”

“When the corruption of even a single penny was not found, how can they disqualify a serving prime minister?” he asked, adding, “Such are the decisions which create chaos and divide in the country”.

“Those who gave verdicts about ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Ameen’ (honest and righteous) are the same people who took oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO),” said Nawaz, adding that the people of Pakistan would not allow the success of the minus-one formula.

Turning the direction of his guns towards Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Nawaz said, “The condition of Peshawar has become worse than it used to be because a new Pakistan is being made there.”

“A cricketer calls the metro bus system ‘jangla bus’. If I get a chance, I will make a metro bus in Quetta too,” said Nawaz.

Nawaz said there had been no signs of progress in Balochistan four years ago, but the development in the province since his party came to power is “exemplary”.

Sharif said it was the PML-N’s vision that has now resulted in the network of roads and motorways being constructed that will connect Balochistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and the capital.

“You will be able to reach Islamabad from Quetta in eight hours,” he told an animated crowd.

‘IDEOLOGICAL BOND’:

The former premier said, “The ruling PML-N and PkMAP are tied in an ideological bond,” and assured PkMAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai of his support at every step.

Achakzai had previously, on several occasions, reiterated his party’s unconditional support to the former prime minister, saying no one would be allowed to derail democracy in the country in the name of accountability.

According to him, targeting a person (Nawaz Sharif) and his family in the name of Panama Papers leaks have no justification and it is a conspiracy against democracy and democratic institutions.

Nawaz Sharif and his family members are currently facing corruption references filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau in an accountability court. The former premier has struck a defiant note since kicking off his mass-contact campaign earlier this month, following the rejection of his review petitions filed against the Panama Papers judgement which ousted him in July.

Addressing a public gathering in Abbottabad earlier this month, Nawaz repeatedly lashed out at the judiciary, specifically the Supreme Court bench that had disqualified him. Recounted his many achievements, he said the name ‘Nawaz Sharif’ has now become an ideology, which was synonymous with development.

 

 

 

4 COMMENTS

  1. In Islam, Prophet (saws) has cautioned believers to remain away from “Iqtidar” and its desire.
    Here with us in Pakistan, there is no working political system to deliver and all politicos are “Md” after it.
    Result is much too obvious for everyone to see and condemn it.

  2. THE JUDGEMENT OF THE HON SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN DISQUALIFYING NAWAZ SHAREIF HAS LEFT MANY UN CONVINCED ABOUT THE QUANTUM OF DAMAGE DONE TO NAWAZ SHAREIF VIS-A VIS HIS ACT OF OMMISSION.
    NORMALLY AT THE APEX COURT SENTENCES GET DILUTED AND REMISSIONS ARE GIVEN. BUT IN THE CASE OF
    NAWAZ SHAREIF THE HON COURT HAS AT BEST ACTED LIKE A DISTRICT COURT. THE FORMER PM HAD BEEN LEFT WITH NO ROOM FOR APPEAL WHICH IS AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT OF A CONVICT IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THE COURT SHOULD HAVE ENTRUSTED THE CASE TO A LOWER COURT AT THE VERY OUTSET AND STAYED BACK TO REVIEW IF APPEALED AGAINST.

    • We don’t expect someone who was like a Household servant to Mountbeton and who betrayed his own wife to face the truth.

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