No NRO, Zardari's attacks only to please someone: Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that there is no National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) [deal] happening between him and anyone else. 

He added that the previous NROs were undertaken between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the corruption hearing against him today, Nawaz said he supports an independent and strong judiciary but not one that favours dictators and 'doctrines of necessity'.

In response to a question, he supported Islamabad High Court Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui's plea to the Supreme Judicial Council to conduct his open trial after a complaint was filed against him, saying "the time has come for open trials [for everyone] now".

Answering another question, Nawaz said he has been hearing of a 'technocrat setup' for 70 years, adding that "it can be someone's wish but it is not going to happen". 

'Zardari wants to please someone'

Earlier, Nawaz also said PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari is talking against him "to please someone".

The PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appear to be at loggerheads regarding the ongoing political situation in the country. 

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif remarked that he tried in vain to establish contact with Zardari recently. 

"But, Zardari didn’t answer any of my calls,”, Asif said in Geo News' show Capital Talk.

When asked to comment on today's anniversary of General (retd) Musharraf's 'emergency' which was imposed 10 years ago today, Nawaz said it seems "I’m being punished for bringing peace in Karachi" and launching economic initiatives.

He added that the present situation is in front of everyone as are his actions.

PPP hits back

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah said later on Friday that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif should remember the day he refused a meeting with PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari.

Reacting to Nawaz's comments that Zardari is assailing him to please someone, Shah said at that point [when Nawaz refused meeting] Nawaz also wanted to please someone.

"Mian sahib should say who he was trying to please then," said the opposition leader in the National Assembly.

Shah asserted that it is Nawaz, not democracy, that is in trouble today.

Nawaz arrived at the court with his daughter Maryam, who is also accused in one of the three references against the family alongside her husband, MNA Capt (retd) Safdar.

Safdar reached the complex earlier. Speaking to the media, he said they will have faith in the system of justice when former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is attending hearings for violating the Constitution as they are.

Later, the hearing was adjourned until November 7.