Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that the country’s judicial system required extensive reforms as delayed justice and lack of justice were among the major issues faced by the people at present.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of hearing of corruption references against him and his family at the accountability court, Nawaz said the ruling party was not seeking to stoke disputes and was instead striving to govern the country in line with the constitution.

Commenting on the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) alliance with Imran Khan, Nawaz said, “Imran has abandoned all his morals and principles by entering into this alliance. He stated earlier that he would never join hands with Zardari, but now he did. He abandoned the youth, the people and his morals. He is just trying to gain something out of this.”

To a question on the outcome of the Senate elections, Nawaz said, “Who is this Sadiq Sanjrani? Who told Bani Gala where he lives? Who told Bilawal House where he lives? Who told them to form a unison and vote for this man? Who is behind all of this? You must investigate,” he urged the journalists. “Raza Rabbani and Raja Zafarul Haq were the best nominations or the position of Senate chairman, but, unfortunately, that did not happen,” he lamented.

On the dissolution of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Balochistan early this year, Nawaz said in this regard the statement of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Achakzai deserves to be probed into.

In response to a question regarding Aitizaz Ahsan’s claim that he would stand with Nawaz Sharif if he names the people ‘conspiring’ against him, the PML-N supremo said the allegations against other politicians included charges of kickbacks and corruption but the charges against him were unique in nature.

Nawaz also spoke about Tehreek-e-Adl on which he worked in the first three years after being elected the prime minister. “At first, this movement was for the judges, now it’s for justice, for swift and easy justice.”

Nawaz said one ought to learn from events transpiring nationwide. “We have seen much. We have had good and bad experiences. They have helped us learn,” he said.

When asked whether he would consider writing a book on his political struggle and his three time premiership, he replied that he hasn’t thought about it yet.

Published in Daily Times, March 16^th 2018.