Nawaz threatens with street protests if ‘injustice’ continues

• PML-N leader says he will ask PM Abbasi to make NAB ordinance ineffective during the caretaker setup to stop misuse of law

• Nawaz says PML-N, civil society won’t let elections to be delayed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that he would take to the streets if the present scheme of things continued.

Talking to the media outside the accountability court, he said, “I do not want that a situation is created where I have to give a call to people. If a situation arises, I will give a call to the people whether I am in jail or anywhere else and no one can stop me from doing so.”

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif urged the chief justice to take suo motu of ‘anti-democratic practices’ in the country, especially the no-confidence motion against the former chief minister of Balochistan, Sanaullah Zehri, and the alleged horse-trading in the Senate polls.

Appreciating the remarks of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar concerning timely general elections, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the CJP should act upon his words as well.

Earlier on Thursday, the CJP had stated that no delay would be allowed in the general elections and that the term ‘judicial martial law’ does not even make sense.

Speaking to reporters outside the accountability court, Nawaz Sharif called upon the CJP to ensure a “level-playing field” ahead of the elections and said that the standards of justice should be the same. “One person cannot be given a clean chit while another’s hands are tied behind his back,” he added.

Talking about the upcoming polls, Nawaz said, “We will not let the elections be postponed at any cost and nor will the civil society.”

Nawaz Sharif criticised the judiciary for having “double standards” while hearing cases related to Imran Khan. He had said that “instead of punishing Imran for submitting fake documents of his Bani Gala estate, the court had asked authorities to legalise them. If this is not favouritism then I don’t what is”.

Commenting on the recent anti-corruption spree of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the former premier said he will ask PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to make the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) ineffective during the caretaker setup.

Giving reasons for his desire, the PML-N supreme leader said that he did not want the law to be struck down in his favour, instead, he wanted to stop the misuse of the law ahead of the elections. “The NAB ordinance was made to target politicians,” he said, adding that the NAB was formed when he was in a jail in Attock.

“NAB law is a black law that was made by a dictator to punish politicians, especially me,” said Nawaz, adding, “God willing, we will finish this law.” “If the chief justice wants to implement what he said, he should take suo motu on the misuse of NAB law,” he added.

He said that Pakistan will not progress if things continue like this and added that the country belongs to all the provinces, not just one province or a specific section of the society. Nawaz said his movement for the respect of vote was not against anybody, in fact, the slogan was coming from the people of Pakistan.

Taking on the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz said that Zardari should focus on getting votes before making tall claims of installing a chief minister in Punjab.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and National Party (NP) President Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo were also present at the accountability court.

Speaking to reporters, Achakzai said, “The CJP should ask all institutions to come together and take an oath of the implementation of the Constitution.”

“Every institution has its own framework [within the constitution] and we will have to stand against anyone who decides to cross the limits,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, CJP Nisar said he will resign from his position if he cannot stop the imposition of martial law in the country.

Speaking at a Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) event, the country’s top judge had urged the masses to trust him and promised his loyalty in return. He had asserted that he would try to resist martial law even if he is alone in doing so. “If I am unable to resist martial law then I will pack up and go home, but won’t endorse it,” he had maintained.