–Deposed PM says consultation with army, other state institutions and political parties will not focus on personal issues
–Accountability judge rejects Sharifs’ plea for exemption from personal appearance for a week
–PML-N supreme leader says he cannot understand why NAB wants to put his and family’s name on ECL
ISLAMABAD: Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that he is ready to hold consultation with all state institutions, including the army, in the larger national interest, adding that the discussions will not be personal rather on issues related to democracy, national interest and governance.
“To maintain the supremacy of the constitution, rule of law and democracy, I am ready to engage with all political parties, army and other institutions provided that they stay in their defined boundaries,” he said while talking to the media outside the accountability court after appearing in an anti-graft hearing.
“Many aspects of jurisdiction and authority of caretaker government have not yet been decided hence all political parties should sit together and discuss it,” he said, adding that the government and opposition can play a vital role in making decisions regarding caretaker government.
Earlier, the accountability judge dismissed Nawaz’s and his daughter Maryam’s pleas for exemption from appearing before the court.
As the hearing resumed, Nawaz and Maryam filed pleas seeking exemption from appearing before the court for a week starting from March 26.
A medical report of Kulsoom Nawaz was also attached to the applications. Kulsoom is currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma in London. The plea stated that Ali Aimal and Jahangir Jadoon will appear in court on behalf of Nawaz and Maryam, respectively.
Meanwhile, the NAB prosecutor opposed the applications, stating that the case is in its concluding stage and the Sharifs should not be allowed to go abroad.
An earlier plea for exemption by Nawaz and Maryam was also turned down by the court.
Further, Wajid Zia, who headed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), established by Supreme Court to probe Sharif family’s assets, resumed recording his statement and submitted the documents.
NAWAZ QUESTIONS ‘ACCOUNTABILITY’:
While talking to reporters after the hearing, Nawaz said that he cannot understand why NAB is trying to put his and his family members’ names on the Exit Control List (ECL).
“Why is the person who pulled out the country from darkness by ending the load shedding being treated like this,” he asked.
Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) politics, Nawaz said that there is definitely a change in Imran’s politics as he used to do rallies in grounds and now he is conducting them in streets.
“The politics of PPP has also disappointed me and now there will be no talks regarding the interim prime minister with them,” he added.
He claimed that those who abrogated the Constitution were enjoying life abroad while a three-time elected premier was facing courts.
Nawaz said he wanted to draw attention to the contradictions in this country. He recalled that Wajid Zia would stand outside former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf’s house in Chak Shahzad for hours but the retired army chief would not meet him.
“He was barred from entering Musharraf’s house,” said Nawaz. “I, however, appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on my own.”
Reminiscing the moment when former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was grabbed by the hair and muscled into a car by police officials on March 13, 2007 after being unceremoniously relieved from his duties by Musharraf, the PML-N supreme leader stressed that no contempt notice was taken of that incident but now a contempt notice was being issued every other day.
Nawaz also expressed reservations on Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia’s testimony against the Sharif family in references filed by the National Accountability Bureau.
Reiterating that he was ousted on the basis of an iqama, Nawaz said his party presidency was also taken and now he was being banned from politics for life.
“They are digging cases from 1970s and 80s.”
Nawaz said that the alleged horse-trading that took place during the recently held Senate elections, has made Pakistan a laughing stock.
“Why was the PML-N government toppled in Balochistan?” he asked. He also questioned the purpose behind selecting the Senate chairman from Balochistan.