ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday how he could have filed tax returns on the salary he never received from his son’s company. Nawaz Sharif said his one sent money to him from abroad and he did not receive salary from another son. He said that whatever is going on is not in the interest of Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif said that we should have learnt lesson from the fall of Dhaka but we did not learn any lesson. Nawaz Sharif said that he still believe in the charter of democracy and CoD could still be implemented, adding that he is also ready for brining improvement in the CoD.
During his informal chat with member of PBA, CPNE and APNS and senior journalists after reaching Punjab House from Murree, Nawaz Sharif said that he has a lot to say on the subject, however, he prefers to stay silent for now. He added that he is starting to understand a lot about what is going on.
“Whatever happened with me is in front of you all. Had there been any evidence of corruption, kickbacks or misuse of public funds there would have been logic in the disqualification,” he said.
“I have not done anything which obstructed the country’s progress,” he said that “I have acted upon the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) verdict but didn’t comment on it. I believe in the rule of law.”
He said that the country will remain stable if it remains on the path of democracy – otherwise there will be chaos. “I want to take the country’s politics in the right direction. I haven’t used crass words against my political opponents. I am not politically isolated,” said Nawaz Sharif during his informal discussion.
Taking a jibe at former president general (retd) Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz said a dictator of the past said dictatorship is better than democracy. “I don’t know which world he is living in,” he said, adding that, “he has no courage to come here and speak in public”.
Nawaz said that Musharraf wanted to meet him in 2007 when he [Nawaz] was returning to the country. “Musharraf wanted to do an NRO [reconciliation] with me. He expressed his desire to meet me. I was told that it was in my favor, but I rejected the offer as I have become an ideological man,” he explained.
“Is there any court in the country that can convict a person who twice violated the Constitution,” he questioned.
The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Chief said Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was ruthlessly killed [in the Musharraf regime], leading to instability in Balochistan. “Did anyone question those who are responsible for it, did anyone hold them accountable,” he said.
The former PM further said that he didn’t do anything that would hamper the country’s growth or create unrest, adding that the economy was doing well.
“I didn’t lose my nerve and I didn’t disrespect anyone; I’m staying calm,” he said. “I have come to understand a lot and have a lot to say, but for now I will remain silent, however, I won’t stay silent forever,” he added.
Nawaz said that though he has a lot to say on the circumstances surrounding his ouster, he wishes to remain silent for now.
The former premier also insisted that no evidence of corruption could be found against him despite the investigation of his father’s company records.
Warning that there will be a state of anarchy in the country if it “did not walk on the right path”, Sharif said that Pakistan is right now on its way to prosperity and will continue to grow.
The thrice-deposed premier also stressed the need for a political consensus. He emphasised the need for unity amongst political parties and recalled that he had accepted the PPP’s mandate in Sindh after the 2013 elections.
“Even during anti-government protests and sit-ins [led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf], we never took an offensive stance,” he recalled.
Nawaz said that his expulsion from the country after Musharraf’s coup in 1999 was a trial for him, but had also taught him a lot. He added that it was important to learn from one’s mistakes, but it seemed that the country had learned nothing from the 1971 secession of Bangladesh.
He also asked whether the courts could ever hold a dictator accountable for his actions, noting that no one has so far been held responsible for the “murder” of Nawab Akbar Bugti.
Former prime minister said that when PML-N took charge of the government the stock exchange was trading at 19000 points but when he was removed the stock exchange was trading at 54000 points. Nawaz said that he always talk about the rule of law, adding that there should be law along with rule and this should also be implemented. Nawaz Sharif said he did not compromise on any issue in last four years. Nawaz said that he himself wanted to establish military courts; he wanted to launch operation against terrorists. Nawaz said that he moved forward for improvement of some things.
Nawaz, currently staying at Punjab House Islamabad, later met with political allies including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Fazlur Rehman, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party head Mahmood Achakzai and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, among others.
He was slated to address a rally in Lahore on Sunday, but has changed his initial plan of heading to Lahore via the Motorway on Sunday and will instead take the GT Road on Wednesday. Nawaz Sharif decided to arrive in Lahore through GT Road after chairing party meeting at the Punjab house on Saturday. Nawaz Sharif will leave for Lahore on Wednesday at 9:00 AM. The consultative meeting of the party was attended by Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Parvez Rashid, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Dr Asif Kirmani and others.
Nawaz is expected to address PML-N workers and supporters in cities along the GT Road as he makes his way to his home turf.
Earlier on Saturday the PML-N chief, along with family members and aides, departed his residence in Changla Gali earlier and was greeted by scores of supporters in Bharakahu on his way to Punjab House.
The former premier’s convoy was surrounded by PML-N supporters, prompting Nawaz to get out of his car at one point and greet the crowd.
