Daily Times

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif criticized the joint investigation team’s (JIT) probe into his and his family members’ offshore assets as a ‘disgrace’.

“Whatever that is happening in Pakistan is not accountability. It is nothing but a farce,” he told reporters at his UK residence. “The JIT has not been able to even level any allegation against me. It is a joke and a waste of time which I could have used to contribute a lot more to the nation.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said no one could raise a finger against him or his family over their conduct in government for any wrongdoing.

“All of my previous terms in power are like an open book. It is beyond my understanding what they [JIT investigators] are trying to find?” he asked. “Is it any corruption I committed? Is it related to any commission or kickbacks? Looting of the national exchequer? If so, there is nothing of that sort,” he said, adding that the JIT could not answer his questions.

“It seems that the JIT is trying to probe my personal family business that began in 1937 from the Lahore foundry. But they were starting from 1972 and wanted to know from where the money came,” Nawaz said. “But in 1972, I was neither in politics nor had anything to do with the business.”

“On the contrary, the factories were nationalized, and it should be us who should be demanding compensation as assets worth billions were seized and not even a penny given,” he said. “Even so, it is me and my family that are being held accountable.”

“The JIT began with a WhatsApp call; let’s see where it is heading to. Our worst enemies are being called in by the JIT to testify. It is evident what they want,” the prime minister said.

“My political opponents could not accept defeat in the 2013 elections and have been conspiring since then to topple my government. But we will not let conspiracies succeed.” He added that the ‘real JIT’, the people of Pakistan, will vote his party into power again in 2018.

Nawaz said Pakistan today was at a take-off stage today after a lot of effort. He said its economy had stabilized and a new power project was being commissioned every month. “Load-shedding is almost over and a network of roads and other mega projects are being built across the country.”

He admitted the stock exchange index had dropped due owing to the ongoing situation in Pakistan, but promised to undertake all measures to stabilize it again. Regarding recent acts of terrorism, he said the government along with the armed forces would eradicate the menace from the country.