Won’t run away like Musharraf, says Nawaz

—PML-N leadership holds informal meeting in London to discuss important political issues

—Nawaz questions as to who ordered PTI chief Imran Khan to vote for PPP in Senate polls

— PM Abbasi says PML-N’s slogan for upcoming polls will be ‘Respect for Votes’

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday took a jibe at former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf, saying he will not flee the country like the former military dictator.

Talking to reporters in London, he said that the talks of martial law were worrisome. He stressed that the caretaker government should work within the limits of the law.

He said that he was being targeted and put under immense pressure, but he was not the one to stay out of Pakistan and would not leave the country. He also said, “There is a difference between me and Pervez Musharraf.” He stressed that the nation should consider the upcoming general elections as a referendum.

Nawaz also challenged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to explain who ordered him to vote for Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s candidate in the recent Senate elections.

“What were your motivations behind voting for PPP’s electoral symbol?” Nawaz questioned Imran.

The former premier said that by voting for PPP, Imran Khan had proved that he and other political parties have always been “looking for the third umpire’s finger” and “orders from the top”, while adding that PML-N was the only party that took dictation from the people of Pakistan.

NAWAZ DISCUSSES CARETAKER SETUP WITH ABBASI:

Earlier, the leadership of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held an important meeting in London. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Nawaz Sharif, former finance minister Ishaq Dar and Nawaz’s sons Hussain and Hassan. The meeting was held at Hussain Nawaz’s office.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the former premier referred to an earlier statement of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq wherein he claimed that, “PTI was ordered from the top to vote for Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla.”

Nawaz said the Senate chairman and deputy chairman stood discredited after the dissolution of the Balochistan Assembly and the manner in which the Senate elections were conducted amidst allegations of rampant horse-trading.

Nawaz argued that the current situation was definitely a “difficult time” for him and his family, adding, “I cannot tell you why the situation is proving difficult but I pledge to face the problems head-on.”

He also said that he regularly appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court five times a week despite the fact that he was not involved in corruption of any kind, while adding that others facing NAB investigations appeared for hearings once every three months or so.

He further said that all these cases were politically motivated and “all these efforts were being made ahead of the upcoming general elections to deny PML-N a level playing field.”

He lamented that his statements were also being censored by the media while his speeches have been entirely banned on different news channels. The former premier termed it “pre-poll rigging” and said he was hopeful that the nation would stop this practice by using the power of their votes.

He further said that such extreme censorship was not even witnessed during the period of some of the harshest martial laws witnessed by the country. “This practice should worry the whole nation. We are witnessing the kind of censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech that had not been seen even during the worst of times.”

He said that he discussed the name of the next caretaker prime minister with PM Abbasi, adding, “It is important that the caretaker prime minister follows rules and regulations by refusing to take unnecessary pressure.”

PML-N TO CONTEST POLLS FOR ‘RESPECT OF VOTE’:

Separately, PM Abbasi said that PML-N would fight the next elections rigorously on the agenda of progress and the slogan of ‘Respect for Votes’.

Speaking to reporters, Abbasi said that PML-N would not only contest the elections but would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

In response to a question about Nawaz staying in London on self-imposed exile, Abbasi said, “Nawaz Sharif came from Pakistan and he would return to the country soon.”

To a query regarding the former premier’s exemption from court appearance, PM Abbasi said only the courts could answer this question.

The incumbent government is expected to conclude its five-year term on May 31, after which the caretaker government would take over to hold the general elections, which were scheduled to be held in the last week of July.

Per the constitution, the caretaker prime minister is appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly.