Nawaz says scores being settled under the guise of accountability

QUETTA: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that scores are being settled under the guise of accountability while attempts are being made to bring a “minus-one” formula in the country.

Nawaz added the attempts will not succeed. “Now I think in 2018 you will have to make a final decision. That decision should only be changed by the people of Pakistan,”

Reiterating his stated position since his disqualification, Nawaz told the crowds gathered at the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party rally in Quetta’s Ayub Stadium that being disqualified by judges who had themselves taken oath under the PCO was unacceptable.

“Those who have taken oath under PCO are saying that I am not Sadiq and Ameen,” Nawaz added. 

Lamenting upon his disqualification, he said he was removed from office for not drawing a salary from his son's company.

Nawaz also criticised the members of the JIT who conducted the investigation and the judicial bench which passed the verdict July 28. 

"One bench made multiple decisions of the case, sometimes there were two members, sometimes three and at other times five members. Never in Pakistan has such a decision been taken." 

"Yet the could not prove corruption worth a single ruppee," said Nawaz. 

He added that such decisions become the undoing of nations and the practice, which has been going on for 70 years needs to end.

Criticizing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan and his governance in KP, Nawaz said that the province's conditions have further worsened with PTI in power. 

"That cricketer wanted to make a naya Pakistan in KP and criticised Shehbaz Sharif for making a jangla bus in Lahore. Now, he is trying to make the same bus in Peshawar, yet they have failed to develop it in almost five years," said Nawaz. 

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief further said he will continue to practice ideological politics.

Praising the people of Balochistan, Nawaz said the people of the province have always crusaded against dictatorships and have truly upheld the values enshrined in the Constitution.

"The people of Balochistan have always resisted those who spread the fire of hatred and the development being witnessed in Balochistan is an example not found before," said the deposed prime minister. 

'Fighting for the Constitution'

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chief Mehmood Achakzai, addressing the rally after Nawaz Sharif, said it must be decided if Pakistan was created for the institutions or the people.

He added that his party will take to the streets against all forms of dictatorship. “We would also stand up against the dictatorship of the judiciary.”

Achakzai said the solution to the prevalent crisis in the country needs to be found while taking all political parties in the loop.

“The Baloch and Pashtuns living in Balochistan share a relation,” he said. “We will find a solution together.”

He added they were fighting for the Constitution, which is not just a mere piece of paper.

“The federation was created by all units of the country,” Achakzai said.

Therefore, he added, they wanted to see a Pakistan where democracy prevails. “We all want China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to be created.”

If everyone in the country is stood on an equal ground and Parliament reigns supreme then “we will support Nawaz Sharif”.

Nawaz Sharif reached Quetta earlier today and held a meeting with Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai at Governor House. 

Upon arrival, Nawaz was greeted by the head of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri.

'Nawaz name of an ideology'

While addressing a PML-N rally on November 19, Nawaz Sharif remarked that those who talk about minus Nawaz Sharif don't know that "Nawaz is the name of an ideology. All of you are this ideology. This ideology will bring a revolutionary change in the country."

Addressing a public gathering at the Abbottabad college ground, the former premier said he has brought his review petition [in the Panama Papers case] to the people. "You have to decide my appeal. Give a decision that echoes far and wide."

Maintaining that he is not scared of jail or death, he told the crowd, "You have to promise, we will march together towards our destination. Don’t sit at home, we will walk together and change Pakistan’s destiny."