Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif was on Friday arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Ashiana Iqbal Housing scandal.
Shehbaz, who is also leader of the opposition in National Assembly, was arrested as he appeared before the anti-corruption watchdog to record his statement in the Saaf Pani case.
“The National Accountability Bureau Lahore has arrested former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Ashiana case. NAB will produce him in an accountability court on Saturday,” a press release issued by the NAB said. Following the arrest, a large contingent of Rangers was deployed outside the NAB’s Lahore office.
Read also: NAB team produces Shehbaz before accountability court
Following Shehbaz’s arrest, journalists, politicians and social media users alike shared their thoughts. Some condemned NAB’s move, while others commended the watchdog for its fight against corruption.
Daily Times Editor Raza Rumi said Shehbaz’s arrest will create political instability in a time when the ruling government is trying to sort the economic crisis.
The arrest of opposition leader in the parliament is bound to create more political instability. At a time when the new government is struggling to fix the economy and deal with multiple challenges this is a counterproductive move. https://t.co/9Qhfek7H32
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) October 5, 2018
In a possible reference to NAB, journalist Talat Hussain said the accountability watchdog was trying to ‘create hype’ to cover its ‘poor performance’.
Wht do u do when everyone is shaming you for poor performance, when even ruling party wants to change the law that give draconian powers? When the Chief Justice tells you you are good for nothing? You make a high profile arrest & create hype abt your grt work. #ShehbazArrestByNAB
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) October 5, 2018
Journalist Marvi Sirmed said: “The model of NAB-arrests just days before elections, appeared to have worked somewhat in July 25 elections. Why not try it for Oct 14 by elections as well?”
4- The model of NAB-arrests just days before elections, appeared to have worked somewhat in July 25 elections. Why not try it for Oct 14 by elections as well?
And who runs NAB, any meticulous watcher of the "politics of accountability" in Pakistan would know. I won't blame PTI!
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) October 5, 2018
“Will the arrest be looked into in light of the by-elections?” said journalist Asma Shirazi.
کیا اس گرفتاری کو ضمنی انتخابات کے تناظر میں دیکھا جائے گا ؟ بڑی گرفتاریوں میں @KhSaad_Rafiqueبھی شامل ہوں گے ؟ #ShahbazSharif
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) October 5, 2018
PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal accused the ruling PTI government of ‘using’ NAB to fulfill its agendas and called the arrest an ‘attack on democracy’
Arrest of Leader of Opposition is a direct attack on democracy. This action proves that PTI govt is using NAB for political vendetta & suppression of opposition. Shehbaz Sharif earned respect not only at home but across the globe for his good governance. PMLN can’t be intimidated
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) October 5, 2018
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) official Twitter account said the arrest of ‘corrupt’ (Shehbaz) individuals does not put Pakistan in bad light, but ‘tolerating corruption’ does.
Arresting corrupt politicians doesn’t bring bad name to Pakistan; tolerating corruption & looting public money does. The Sharif family must pay for their crimes against the people of Pakistan who trusted them with their vote.#SaraTabarChorHai
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 5, 2018
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Prime Minister Imran Khan will not influence the investigation as the opposition desire. ‘Let law take its course’.
only wish of Opposition is PM shld have intervened to stop SS arrest and shld had influenced investigation only to maintain politics as usual , PM wont do that, let the law takes it course.
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 5, 2018
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