ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol said on Saturday that the PPP had always supported democracy and endeavored to strengthen it. “By giving its blood, the party has always strengthened democracy in the country,” he said in a statement on Saturday. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafiq should refrain from issuing threatening statements. “The PPP leadership has always respected and accepted the harsh judgments of judiciary. Even at the judicial murder of PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the party did not give any statement against the country’s integrity,” he said. He said that the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was working on the directions of the country’s apex court. “The PML-N ministers have started using negative tactics against it. The ruling party says it is proud that the PM has appeared before the JIT, but at the same time, they express reservations over the team,” he said. “Khawaja Saad Rafiq should prepare for Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s departure from power. It seems he has been unnerved because of what is going to happen in future. If PM Nawaz Sharif and his allies have any honour left, they should resign. This, however, seems unlikely as their hunger for power will never be satisfied,” he said. “Former prime ministers Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto still rule people’s hearts because they struggled for Pakistan. However, the entire efforts of the ruling party are focused on saving the Sharif family,” he said. He said that the PML-N ministers should prepare themselves for the impending disqualification of their party leadership. Published in Daily Times, July 2nd , 2017.