ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday made public the pardon agreement signed between former president Pervez Musharraf and the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif 11 years ago.
“Nawaz Sharif is the pioneer who introduced the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by reaching an agreement with the former military dictator,” said Malik.
The document, which is titled ‘Confidentiality and Hold Harmless Agreement’, was signed by Musharraf, Nawaz, Shahbaz Sharif, Abbas Sharif and Hussain Nawaz on December 6, 2000. Nawaz, if the document is deemed valid, acknowledged that he had approved assistance in negotiations on his behalf for his release from incarceration.
Malik was quick to defend his move, saying that parties other than the Pakistan Peoples Party actually benefited more from the NRO. “Only five people of the PPP benefitted from the NRO,” he said.
“I’m thoroughly satisfied with the course and results of the negotiations – I also have been kept fully advised on the negotiations,” stated Nawaz in the document. An agreement titled ‘Grant of Pardon’ further stated: “The president in terms of Article 45 of the Constitution is advised to remit the sentence of imprisonment for life awarded to Nawaz Sharif by the Sindh High Court in its judgment in October 30, 2000. The president is also advised to remit the sentence for 14 years awarded to Nawaz Sharif by the accountability court at Attock Fort in its judgment on July 22, 2000.”
According to the agreement, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief also stated: “I had approved the gentleman’s assistance to negotiate on my behalf for my release from incarceration in Pakistan.” Nawaz, in his pardon plea, had requested the then Chief Executive General Musharraf to waive off his sentences of imprisonment to proceed abroad for medical treatment.
“I agree to stay out of Pakistan for 10 years where my residence will be the country I approved,” stated Nawaz.
According to Malik, the Sharif family has violated the agreement as they came back to Pakistan without staying abroad for the agreed 10 years.
The PML-N immediately rejected the comments, saying: “It was not a pardon agreement between Musharraf and Nawaz.”
“The Sharif family had written an apology letter to the then President Rafiq Tarrar for early release only,” said PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan. “It’s an effort by the government not to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment on the NRO.” He also termed the agreement made public by Malik a ‘fake document’.
Malik, meanwhile, said that he was playing a dangerous game by releasing the agreement, urging the media to get in touch with his son for further documentation in case he is killed.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (28)
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How funny it is - a document signed by the Sharifs before leaving Saudi is of no legal importance as stated by the Supreme court. But a Memogate which has NO signature under it, is of an issue, such a serious issue that the ex ambassador is not allowed to leave the country. What courts are these- No one is willing to hear the case of that actress Sapna, who was married to Khosa? Where is insaaf now mr CJ? Your judges are not willing to listen the case in high court And coming back to this NRO case- president has the immunity, but the court wants to hear from them.
Three years back,Supreme Court has declared this document of no legal importance...so my request to ppl who criticize Nawaz Shareef for this shud tell if they believe in court or rehman malik..
if ppl believe in supreme court then they must know that this document has been declared of no legal importence by Supreme Court some three years back.
so this piece of document makes your government's case strong?
nawaz shareef why did u lie to the nation for the last 10 years.
What a load of crap! Mr. Malik is beginning to sound senile and could do with a well deserved rest, perhaps permanently from politics.
You scratch my back I scratch yours...this is the story of Pakistan politics and its complexed society. Sharifs scratched CJ's back..now CJ is returning the favour. You are right thomas... millions of cases of innocent people are lying pending in the so called honorable courts and no positive steps are taken to relief public rather courts are playing politics. I blame the society as the biggest criminal...for being dumb and emotional to believe the wolves under the sheep skin..for not being able to recognize the wolves..for actually being incompetent to un-cover these faces once and for all. I guess they are quiet deserving!
Thousandss of cases of innocent peoples are lying pending in the honorable courts and no any positive steps are taken to relief public rather courts are playing politics even justice go on summer and winter vacations, where wd stand and where we are going to? honorable court rather being office of political party should work for public not for.....
what ever the party ruling? who ever ruling will not relief public but the system which can only turn common people fate. plz do not fight for ruler but for system and policies which directly impact on country fate and economy.
plz do not engage public in these sort of issue keep them away of media.
This was previously produced before the court. Legally not worth the paper it's written on.
PPP is like deer in front of memogate / NRO case headlights. They are clutching at straws now.
Vienna,January 10,2012 I have asked the readers before for awaiting a hilarious comedy. Now as things go, what would appear hilarious to the unconcerned non citizens could turn out to be the greatest tragedy for Pakistan citizens.As neighbours to watch such a tragedy would be far from pleasant. An unpleasant living theatre all out for the whole sub continent. Who needs more the American Uncle Sam Dagobert or power mongers syndicate of politicians in Pakistan? Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
Such statements will help Musharraf enter Pakistan without arrest. Pandora box you see?!
" na ji na " malik sahb all of the politician are same ,,,,,,, no diffrence in nawaz, zardari, imran,altaf,asfand yar,fazalur rehman,shujat and etc.......we are waiting for miracle....because miracle happens those who belive,,,,,,,bura na manana all " jamhuri" dosto.......i am sorry in advance.
Lets see if CJ takes notice of this- Malik published it quite late, he should have done this earlier- but the test starts of the CJ- it will give a clear picture if he ignores this letter- Not defending the government but establishment seems to be in full swing. and if ignored, it will be clear that this whole NRO thingy or memoGate is just a conspiracy or to target PPP.
History will repeat itself. 1956 round 2.
The originator of NRO with PML-N and PPP is trying to come home. If these agreements are so bad then the main character and the author Gen Mush should be tried first. Sorry he is still called a General and cannot be tried in the PCO SC. May be like the writer and delivery person Mansoor Ijaz, the writer and brain behind the two NRO agreements made star witness and the secondary characters put in jail.
We believe that Mr. Malik is an Interior Minister for the past 3-4 years. Then he must have known about this deal of Nawaz Sharif at least 3 years ago. Why he is revealing it to the public at this precise moment? Everyone knows that Nawaz Sharif is a crook. Mr. Malik should go and perform his job rather than wasting the time of nation anymore.
When an Interior Minister should be in Jamrod after a deadly blast today, he is making people fool by showing a piece of paper which is known to even a 5-year old.
Nothing will change! Drama of 65 years will go on as usual.
Rehman Malik make a record this time! he is not lying at the moment.
These Silly politicians now beating about the bush. Their game is now over. Insha Allah, people Pakistan will do better in election. Wake up dear Brethren.
PPP you are answerable of your acts. Answer first before pin pointing others. We'll see once other FOX comes rifle in range.
Answer your NRO leave others
Okay now these ministers are behaving like children. Don't worry Malik sahib, both PPP and PML-N will go down. You have done enough "topi drama" with the people of Pakistan.
Supreme Court Zindabad!!!