Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that a natinal commission should be formed to probe his statement and that being made against him to ascertain who was committing treason.

While addressing a party rally in Buner, the former prime minister said the guilty party should be publicly hanged following the verdict of the commission.

“Nawaz who eliminated terrorism from Pakistan, made the country an atomic power, concealed the Kargil embarrassment, made motorways, ended electricity load shedding, and made Pakistan a hub of peace is being labeled as a traitor today,” he said.

“Is making Pakistan an atomic power treason or patriotism?” he asked the gathering.

“Those who drown Pakistan into darkness are patriots, those who sow the seeds of terrorism in the country are patriots, and those who abrogate the country’s Constitution and law and impose martial law are patriots,” he lamented.

“Those who serve you sincerely, day and night, are being accused of treason.”

He strongly opposed the allegations against him and stressed that the nation must work with him to bring an end to such incidents.

“If I speak positively about Pakistan, then can I not give my suggestions on policy matters?” he asked.

“And if my statement doesn’t sit well with someone, and if I am actually a traitor then come form a national commission. Let us start the process of accountability,” he demanded.

“220 million Pakistanis should witness [the trial] and the guilty [party] should be publicly hanged,” he said.

Also speaking on Monday, Sharif reiterated that he won’t let the NAB chairman off the hook. He demanded that a commission should be formed to probe money laundering allegations against him. “The NAB chairman must apologise and tender his resignation.”

Speaking at the rally, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said the nation’s relationship with Nawaz had only strengthened in the past 30 years. “Being voted into the office time and again is the biggest proof of his patriotism,” she said, “You choose the prime minister and members of the National Assembly through the power of your votes. Can a person responsible for making the country’s defence unchallengeable be labeled a traitor?” she questioned.

Published in Daily Times, May 15^th 2018.