Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Sunday said nomination of Maryam Nawaz as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president is against the Supreme Court verdict under which a disqualified person cannot hold any political office.
“Every political party has the right to make changes in its ranks. But, Maryam Nawaz Sharif has been nominated as PML-N vice president against the verdicts of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, under which the disqualified persons are not allowed to avail any political status,” the minister said while talking to media here at Chah Jammu Wala.
He said the PML-N has nominated Rana Tanveer as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on which even its ally, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has raised objections saying it was taken into confidence before announcing the decision. “If Shehbaz Sharif’s health condition does not allow him to perform responsibilities as PAC chairman, how will he be able to act as opposition leader in the National Assembly?” he questioned, adding that the matter will be discussed in the next assembly session being held from Monday (today).
The minister said the government has also sought a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser to deliberate over Rana Tanvir’s nomination for the PAC top slot.
To a question, Qureshi said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was granted bail by the Supreme Court for his medical treatment. “However, no major issues have been reported so far regarding his health. Nawaz Sharif will hopefully follow the orders of the Supreme Court regarding cancellation of his bail,” he said.
The minister said the PTI government has no differences with allied parties over the Local Governments Act, 2019, as Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senior leader and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has already rejected these rumours.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister dispelled the impression of any grouping within the party and said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is united. He said former finance minister Asad Umar is an asset to the party and will remain so forever.
Qureshi also rejected criticism by the opposition parties of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) proposed package, saying the deal is being struck due to wrong policies of the previous governments. He said those who are criticising the government over the IMF understanding had themselves availed the bailout packages in the past. “PML-N contacted the IMF after they rose to power in 2013. Similarly, PPP government also availed the facility during its tenure in 2008. Then why they are criticising the incumbent government,” he wondered.
The minister said the incumbent government is availing the IMF package due to 10 years of wrong policies of the previous governments. He rejected the impression that the IMF is interfering in the issue of replacements of ministers. He said a technical committee of the IMF is on a 15-day visit to Pakistan and talks are under way with the relevant institutions.