Daily Times

SUKKUR: Opposition Leader in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah has said that the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif should submit resignation prior to announcement of verdict by Supreme Court in Panama case. He said that the matter will remain limited to disqualification and then cases could be sent to NAB and FIA for criminal proceedings. Shah said Nawaz Sharif will not go home alone but Imran Khan will also go home. He said similar cases are against Imran Khan and Imran Khan will certainly be disqualified after Nawaz Sharif.

While talking to media in Sukku, Khurshid Shah termed stubbornness of Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N) leaders behind their current miseries. Shah reiterated Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) desires continuity of democracy and party would not support any step to dissolve assemblies. He suggested PML-N to save democracy by naming replacement of Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister.

Shah said that the unprecedented remarks were given by judges during hearing of Panamagate and he said that gone are the days when rulers could attack courts. While accusing government of saving Security & Exchange Commission (SECP) of Pakistan former Chairman Zafar Hijazi, Shah called for comprehensive probe to unearth names on whose directives Hijazi altered records. He said the FIR should also be registered against the person for whom Hijazi did record tempering.

Shah accused PML-N of deceiving state institutions with moves like Dawn leaks. “We never fought with institutions while rendered unrivalled sacrifices for democracy,” added Shah. Khurshid Shah said that Prime Minister Sharif should decide to step down from his post by tonight. Shah stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) should choose a new Prime Minister from the party.

“We want the Parliament to continue working and the PML-N to complete its tenure,” Shah emphasised, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should be smart and select a new premier to lead the country. The Opposition leader said he agreed with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s objections.

“[My] differences with Nisar aside, his objections are correct that Nawaz Sharif consulted with the junior members of his party and ignored the senior leadership,” Shah remarked, adding that whether Nisar decides to resign or not is the minister’s decision to make. He said Chaudhry Nisar has no trust in government and government too has not trust in Chaudhry Nisar.

Shah also took aim at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan. “It’s not just Nawaz Sharif who will be going. Imran Khan will also go with him,” he said.  Shah alleged that Nawaz Sharif is production of establishment, adding that Nawaz Sharif and his aides have faced some difficulties for democracy and Nawaz Sharif remained in exile and enjoyed life there; however he should make decision in two days to step down.

He said Nawaz Sharif should address the people and should take decision prior to announcement of decision by Supreme Court. Shah said that we want continuity of parliament, adding that new prime minister should come and government should complete its tenure. He said all bar councils and lawyers have demanded resignation from the prime minister. He said two senior judges have already disqualified him.

Shah said that there is no matter of bargaining and case is crystal and transparent. He said in such cases 35 parliamentarians have already been given punishments and were disqualified, adding that there is also problem of “aqama” for Nawaz Sharif. He said PPP has staged protests for 50 years and it has no need of PTI or any other party for staging protest.

He said that the PPP will act according to law and constitution over Panama leaks decision, adding that Nawaz Sharif has two days for submitting resignation.