–Former PM lauds brother Shehbaz Sharif’s services, says ex-Punjab CM worked tirelessly for province’s development
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was “exacting political revenge”, referring to a recent statement of Prime Minister Imran Khan in which he said that he would get 50 people arrested if he was in charge of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Talking to journalists after appearing in the Al-Azizia and Flagship reference, Nawaz said, “The prime minister has said he will get 50 people arrested. Who has given him the authority to do so?” he said.
“The country’s stability is being affected due to proceedings aimed at exacting political revenge,” he said, claiming that nobody was “politically victimised during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) tenure”.
“All laws formed under Musharraf’s tenure should be reviewed. We should get rid of notorious laws,” Nawaz remarked, adding that no one in Pakistan will be found “clean” if assets cases are initiated against them.
“Be it the rich or poor, nobody discloses all of the income received from selling off assets,” he said. “Forbearance is necessary for the country to progress. This country has already sunk and if political targetting continues, things will continue to become bleak,” Nawaz said.
The veteran politician remarked that it takes time to bring changes in the system. “The stock market is sliding down and dollar rate is on an upward spiral. In times like this, everyone should try to act sensibly,” the former prime minister remarked.
He also talked about PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s arrest by NAB earlier this week. Nawaz said that the former chief minister served the country day and night and even fell ill due to excessive work.
“Pakistanis and foreigners praise Shehbaz’s work. Those who accused him were embarrassed after the Chinese government clarified the allegations,” he said.
“The government’s behaviour with Shehbaz is regrettable. If this is accountability, then we reject this process,” he said.
Further, the former prime minister also alleged that the Peshawar Metro project’s contract was given to a blacklisted company by the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
“Why did the KP government award the contract to a blacklisted company? The matter should be investigated and a reference must be filed against such actions,” said Nawaz.
Shehbaz was arrested last week by the anti-corruption watchdog for influencing a transfer of contracts in the Ashiana Housing Scheme scam. A day after, NAB obtained a 10-day physical remand of the PML-N president from an accountability court.
