–PML-N VP says she considers proposed charter a ‘mockery of economy’
–Says PM Imran ruined economy due to his ‘incompetence’ and Opp doesn’t want to share his failures
–Says debt commission should probe Musharraf-era debts as well as loans taken by PTI hitherto
–Says Pakistan is not Egypt nor Nawaz is Morsi, warns of consequences if anything happens to her father
LAHORE: Though Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif proposed the ‘charter of economy’ to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), its vice president Maryam Nawaz rejected the proposal forthwith, saying there can be no agreement with the current government “that stole the people’s mandate”.
Addressing a press conference here, the former first daughter, whose father Nawaz Sharif is in jail on corruption charges, said she considered this “meesaq-e-maeeshat” (charter of economy) offer as “mazaq-e-maeeshat (mockery of economy).”
Earlier this week, Shehbaz Sharif had offered a ‘charter of economy’ to the PTI government in the “larger national interest”.
Maryam maintained that offering ‘charter of economy’ to Imran Khan is like giving him an NRO as he, due to his incompetence, caused irreparable damage to the economy and now wants the opposition to become a part of his failure on the economic front.
“It’s akin to bailing out ‘incompetent prime minister’” she said.
Maryam maintained that party president Shehbaz Sharif has his views and she has her views and in her personal opinion, this suggestion will only benefit “Nalaiq-e-Azam” (the biggest incompetent) Imran Khan for he has not only failed to revive the economy but in fact harmed it.
“This guy (Imran Khan) not only stole a whole election but is now ruining the economy due to his incompetence so he wants opposition’s stamp on his failing economic policies that we should never provide him, he (Imran Khan) should be made an example,” said Maryam.
Maryam said it is interesting to note that the PM is not ready to sit with the opposition on any other matter but is ready to “get his failing economic policies stamped by other parties”.
The PML-N leader maintained that the PML-N President Shehbaz will put his suggestion before the party and then a decision will be made.
At the same time, she defended Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to support it. “Shehbaz sahib has a lot more political and administrative experience than me… He must definitely have considered things that I am unable to see when he talked about the charter,” she said.
Later, while responding to a journalist speculating on the differences between her and uncle Shehbaz, Maryam stated that whatever she had said was her personal opinion and should not be construed to mean that she had differences with the PML-N president.
“There is no conflict between me and Shahbaz Sharif sahib and God willing this wish of our opponents will never be fulfilled,” she tweeted. “I have clarified that this is my personal opinion. Those who try to present [the difference of opinion] as a conflict will be disappointed.”
ایسے نہیں کرتے دوست! میرا اور شہباز شریف صاحب کا نہ کوئی اختلاف ہے نہ ہی انشاءاللہ مخالفین کی یہ خواہش کبھی پوری ہو گی۔ میں نے واضح کر دیا ہے کہ یہ میری ذاتی رائے ہے۔ اس کو اختلاف بنا کے پیش کرنے والوں کو مایوسی ہو گی۔ یاد رہے کے یہ کوشش ۳۰ سال سے جاری ہے۔ https://t.co/A5rfmKjez6
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) June 22, 2019
DEBT PROBE COMMISSION:
Maryam also came out all guns blazing against the government’s decision to form a commission for a probe into debt over the last 10 years, saying the government should begin its investigation from 1999 –Gen Musharraf’s tenure — instead of 2008.
The former PM’s daughter censured the incumbent regime over its debt commission, saying the PML-N government is ready for accountability; however, the government should also answer for the debts it has taken over the last 10 months.
She said the nalaiq-e-azam (incompetent prime minister) has borrowed Rs5,000 billion in the first 10 months of his government, whereas the total amount borrowed by the PML-N during its tenure was Rs10,000bn,” she said.
She said her party has a lot to show for the debts taken during the last five years, while PTI, on the other hand, hasn’t spent a “penny” to provide relief to the masses.
Listing the mega development projects during the PML-N’s tenure, she said it completed power projects to produce 11,000 megawatts, Neelum-Jhelum, Kachhi Canal, state-of-the-art, world class motorways stretching to 1,700 kilometres.
It also includes world’s most expensive operations to eliminate terrorism, like Raddul Fasad, Zarb-i-Azb and Karachi operation,” Maryam said.
“Despite borrowing so much money, he has not spent a penny to provide relief to the masses […] That man is forming a commission [to investigate debts] today?” she quipped.
Do they have the billion trees [tsunami project] that have not even been planted to show for the money they borrowed? Or the BRT Peshawar project that has turned the city into ruins?”
She said there should be probe into loans that were wasted due to the incompetence of the current prime minister.
Taking another jibe at the commission ordered by the premier, she questioned the inclusion of the representatives of the intelligence agencies in the body.
“What message does the inclusion of NAB convey? Isn’t NAB an independent institution? Why are intelligence agencies being included? There are no area experts [in the commission]. What do ISI or MI have to do with this [commission]? Why are you (government) making institutions controversial? ISI and MI should also stay away from this nonsense, they should stay away from the political divisions that are being created [by the government].”
“Why are you creating divisions among masses by dragging institutions?” She called for an independent audit of the commission by a neutral economic organisation.
‘WON’T LET NAWAZ BECOME NEXT MORSI’:
Speaking about her detained father whose bail on health grounds was rejected last month, she said she would fight for him till the last breath.
“It is not Egypt neither PML-N will let former prime minister Nawaz Sharif become next Morsi,”she warned alluding to the death of former Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi who died of a heart attack in a courtroom in Cairo.
Maryam, who earlier met her father Nawaz in jail, also raised concerns over her father’s health condition and said that the government will be responsible if any harm comes to her father.
Maryam said that her father has heart issues from last 20 years and has suffered as many as three heart attacks.
“Nawaz had third heart attack in Adiala Jail. We were not informed about it immediately. Nawaz need one more bypass surgery. Her large heart vain is 95% closed and kidney has stage three issue.”
She said that the former prime minister uses spray and medicines for angina, and his treatment can take over years.
“All authorities will be responsible if something happens to Nawaz,” he warned.