We want accountability, not power, says Nawaz

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LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has renewed his demand to hold accountable

PML-N puts forward seat adjustment offer to IPP

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has renewed his demand to hold accountable those elements behind his ouster from power in 2017 and responsible for Pakistan’s “destruction”.

He said this while addressing the party’s parliamentary board meeting flanked by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Vice President Maryam Nawaz and other leaders in Lahore on Friday.

Speaking about the corruption cases registered against him and his family members, Nawaz said those who lodged “bogus cases” should be taken to task.

“Our party leaders were put behind bars in false cases and I am being delivered justice after a period of seven years,” the PML-N supremo said.

He was referring to the graft cases registered against him and his family members following the infamous Panama Papers revelations.

While he was prime minister of the country, the Supreme Court disqualified him for life for not declaring a receivable salary and also directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file references against him.

Subsequently, the accountability courts sentenced him in Avenfield and Al-Aziza references in 2018.

However, the IHC overturned his conviction in the Avenfield reference last month while his appeal in Al-Azizia reference is pending before the court.

Nawaz, in today’s address, said they wanted to serve the nation but at the same time, he demanded to hold accountable those individuals involved in the alleged victimisation of the PML-N leaders.

Nawaz, who returned to the country after ending a four-year self-imposed exile in London in October this year, said he did not return to the country only to form a government but also wanted action against those involved in corruption and political victimisation.

Referring to the alleged leaked audio conversation of former chief justice Saqib Nisar, Nawaz said the ex-top judge could be heard saying that the PML-N leaders, including him, should remain behind bars to pave the way for the then Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan ahead of 2018 general elections.

Without naming anyone, Nawaz also took a jibe at former PTI chief Imran Khan and termed the 190 million pounds NAB reference against the PTI leaders a “biggest scam” in the country’s history.

“They don’t know anything about morals and principles of state of Madinah..they just used this to promote their political agenda,” he said while referring to the PTI supremo’s slogan to make Pakistan a Madina-like welfare state.

“190 million pound case is the biggest scandal and there are no doubts about it..”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif had proposed a seat adjustment with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

The IPP delegation, headed by patron-in-chief Jahangir Khan Tareen, called on the former prime minister yesterday (Thursday). The IPP’s top brass had decided to respond to the proposal after discussing the matter with the party’s central executive committee.

Shehbaz Sharif and the IPP bigwigs had exchanged views on the country’s political situation. 

On this occasion, IPP leader Awn Chaudhry was also present.

Few days back, The IPP denounced the intra-party polls of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Expressing her thoughts, IPP Spokesperson Firdous Ashiq Awan hoped the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will take notice of the intra-party polls. “The PTI intra-polls are against the constitution and law,” Firdous added.

“The ECP should take strict action against the PTI over the intra-party polls,” she said.

Firdous talked about the appointment of Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as the PTI chairman. “The appointment of Barrister Gohar as the PTI chief without any process is against the party’s manifesto and democratic traditions,” she lamented.

Firdous said, “It is unacceptable to see the holding of the so-called PTI intra-party polls, which reflects the worst example of dictatorship.”