PM in Pakistan is either disqualified or hanged: Nawaz Sharif

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Ex-premier who was disqualified in July this year in a corruption probe, Nawaz Sharif has said on Tuesday either a premier in Pakistan is disqualified or is hanged.

The ex-premier met with supporters of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab House today and reiterated his disapproval of his disqualification verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) that was delivered on July 28. He claimed that workers and the people of the ruling party have not accepted the verdict.

The ex-premier has said no country in the world progressed under dictatorship and democracy brings along the fruits have generations enjoy. He branded directions Pakistan has been given for the past 70 years by leaders nothing less than saddening. Nawaz said that either a premier in Pakistan is disqualified or hanged, exiled or arrested.

The former premier urged workers of PML-N to put up joint struggle with other parliamentary parties to strengthen democracy in Pakistan.

Earlier today, the ousted premier presided over a meeting of leaders of the political party and deliberated over the situation that has developed after a security operation was launched in Faizabad. Reportedly, president of the federally ruling political party expressed resentment over alleged failure of the civil administration to have the 21-day sit-in protest end without resorting to coercive methods that caused countrywide chaos that lasted two days.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal responded that administration and police launched crackdown on Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order and that he wanted to resolve the matter with negotiations. Parliamentary parties’ stance over Law Minister Zahid Hamid’s resignation was disappointing, he added.

Nawaz Sharif has directed the concerning officials to determine the names of those responsible for the failure of the operation. On the other hand, ongoing political situation in the country and government’s performance in development projects were also discussed in the meeting.

Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Maryam Nawaz, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, State Minister Daniyal Azizi, Senator Asif Kirmani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Musadik Malik, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar, Parliamentary Secretary Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Maiza Hameed, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Zeb Jaffar and Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also attended the meeting.

Earlier today, ex-prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Safdar appeared in the court for the hearing of Azizia Steel Mills, London flats and Flagship Investment references.

During the proceeding, Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Harris told that Islamabad High Court (IHC) had reserved its verdict on a plea seeking to merge all three National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references against Nawaz Sharif. He continued that no statement can be recorded until decision of IHC comes after which, the court adjourned the hearing till December 4 without any proceeding.