Daily Times

LONDON: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday reiterated its support for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and said any ‘minus-Nawaz’ formula was not acceptable.

The high-level huddle at the residence of Hasan Nawaz – attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif among others – maintained that Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification on the basis of iqama had rallied more supporters around him as the party felt that he was not given the opportunity of a fair trial in the Panama Papers case.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that there was no space in the political landscape of the country for any unconstitutional step. They said that the media was being used to launch a propaganda campaign against the Sharif family as well as the PML-N.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, former PM Nawaz Sharif said there was no ‘minus-Nawaz’ formula being considered by the party. He also refuted the rumours of rifts within the party.

The former premier said he would appear before the accountability court on November 3 in connection with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references against him. “I can see and understand what’s going on but I will still return to Pakistan to face the court,” he added.

The PML-N chief said he was denied a fair trial in the Panamagate scandal, as he was disqualified over an iqama instead of the actual case.

The former premier said his dismissal caused instability in the country and the stock exchange plummeted by 10,000 to 12,000 points. “What to speak of stability and progress if the elected leader of the country is ousted on the basis of an iqama and not Panama Papers,” he said, adding if a government becomes weak, then it strength of the state also decreases.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, after attending the meeting, dismissed speculations that Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif would replace his brother as the party chief. He said that Nawaz would appear before the accountability court on November.

The prime minister said the current political situation and the on-going development projects in the country were discussed during the meeting.

To a question, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi described his visit and the meeting with the former prime minister as ‘private and in his personal capacity’ and said that he had taken a one-day leave from the government as prime minister and would be returning to Pakistan on Monday night.

He also rejected the impression of any fissures within the PML-N, terming the same as just ‘rumours’.

To a query about the ceasing of PIA’s flight to New York, the prime minister said it should have been done three years back. He rejected any possible linkage of Air Blue in that decision and said the Air Blue had no plans to start flight operations for the US.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also rejected the view of any minus-one formula in the party and said consultation was held during the meeting about how to take the party ahead and a strategy about the next general elections. When asked about Nawaz Sharif’s demand of a free and fair trial, he said it was a just demand of the former prime minister.

Last week, an accountability court issued bailable arrest warrants against Nawaz Sharif after he failed to appear before it in connection with three references filed by the NAB.

While issuing the warrants, judge Muhammad Bashir dismissed Nawaz’s application for exemption from personal appearance. The judge issued warrants in two references against Nawaz, while in the third reference, he issued notice to a surety giver.

On Monday, the court also issued bailable arrest warrants against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for failing to appear in connection with a NAB reference pertaining to accumulating assets beyond means. While dismissing Dar’s exemption application, the judge issued warrants and directed him to appear before the court on November 2. The court also issued notice to his surety giver.

Published in Daily Times, October 31^st 2017.