LAHORE: Former Punjab CM and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Friday stated that 2018 general elections would not be considered free and fair if the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) continues to victimise PML-N in the name of accountability.
In an interview with a private news channel, Shehbaz said, “If NAB continues to victimise PML-N in the name of accountability, such an election will not be considered as free and fair. Let the candidates belonging to all parties present themselves before the people. People are the best judge on the performance of the parties.”
“It’s unfortunate that the NAB has not done anything with regard to mega corruption scams that have been there for over a decade now but has singled out the PML-N. There is no arguing over the need for fair and transparent accountability but it has to be across the board,” he added.
The PML-N chief also announced to form a national government after coming into power after polls, adding that everyone needs to work hard to make Pakistan strong.
Shehbaz declared Babar Awan the culprit of the Nandipur power project, claiming that no one asked him anything.
Commenting on the differences of estranged PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar party, he said that there are differences in every party, adding that he has a very good relationship with the former interior minister. “Statements were made that caused misunderstandings and difference of opinion is found in every political party,” he explained.
Before leaving for London, former prime minister and party supremo Nawaz Sharif had resolved differences with Ch Nisar for party ticket but he had applied for the party ticket.
Efforts were underway to control the differences that were created as a result of cross statements, he added.
Responding to a question, the ex-Punjab CM said that a single party cannot resolve the issues facing the country, adding that clash is not a solution.
“All stakeholders will have to sit together and to make Pakistan strong we all will have to work together in the interest of the country,” he said. When asked about his relationship with Reham Khan and whether the claims made by PTI were true, he said he met Reham only once when she interviewed him in 2014 for a PTV programme. “Imran Khan sahib is in the habit of cooking up lies. I filed three defamation cases against him for three allegations. Neither he nor his lawyer appeared in the court to respond,” he argued.
He also praised the armed forces for their fight against terrorism.
He clarified that his infamous comment on Karachi, in which he joked how the locals pronounce the city’s name and eat pan, was made in a light tone. “Neither was any pun intended nor was it meant in a negative manner,” he made it clear, suggesting that some elements tried to blow the comment out of proportions.
He criticised the PTI and south Punjab front for establishing an alliance at the eleventh hour.