'New Delhi worried over Nawaz’s fate'

Opposition united on PM’s resignation, says Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday continued to put pressure on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the wake of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) findings and once again called upon him to step down.

In Peshawar, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that the prime minister “will go eventually because he has lost all moral authority to stay in power”. He added that India “considers Nawaz Sharif its ally and is concerned over his possible ouster”.

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PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed that the ruling PML-N was divided into two groups after the publication of the JIT report.

“A segment of the PML-N’s cabinet is of the opinion that the prime minister should resign in the face of irrefutable evidence against him and his family,” Qureshi told a news conference.

There was a difference of opinion within the cabinet, though the PML-N claimed otherwise, he added. “Some federal ministers are reluctant to even defend the prime minister publicly.”

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Qureshi said the joint opposition was unanimous in its demand that the prime minister should resign to save the democratic process in the country.

“Opposition parties are on the same page when it comes to the premier's resignation,” Qureshi, who is nowadays busy in forging a grand alliance of opposition parties, said.

The PTI central leader said all opposition parties had consented to calling a fresh session of the National Assembly to discuss the fast unfolding political scenario in the country.

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He stated that the premier was forced to summon a cabinet meeting on Thursday to reassure members that ‘all is well’ following the JIT report.

“The PML-N’s parliamentary meeting is being called in a bid to gag dissent within party ranks,” Qureshi claimed, saying “Voices are being raised from within the PML-N for the PM’s resignation.”

Qureshi said an advice to the prime minister about opting for political martyrdom would actually be a move to commit political suicide.

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“The prime minister will be mistaken if he misinterprets the challenge emerging after the JIT report in the Panama Papers case,” he added.

Meanwhile, senior party leadership distanced the PTI from a statement of a new entrant to the party, Dr Babar Awan, who had called for early elections, saying the PTI would only accept the PM’s resignation – not a new PM from the PML-N.

“Today, the PTI extends its demand. We want the PM’s resignation, but we will not accept a new PM from the PML-N.

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“Rather, new elections will be acceptable to the PTI. Nation needs new election, as it wants to choose their new leadership,” Dr Babar Awan said, while talking to the media outside the Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday.

The statement caused a stir, with the media describing as a shift in the stance of the party – from demanding the prime minister to resign to scrapping the fixed-term of parliament and going for an early election.

“The statement was given by Dr Awan in his personal capacity keeping in mind the current political polarisation, which could lead to early elections,” senior party leader Asad Umar said while clarifying the party’s stance.

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Umar said as far as the PTI was concerned ‘this is not the case (demand) right now’.

“There is no consensus or even discussion within the party over early general elections demand. The party may discuss it at a later stage, but it’s not under discussion now,” Umar categorically stated.

“Awan’s statement is also against the demand made by the PTI chief himself,” a senior party leader said, adding “The PTI wants the next general elections to be held on its scheduled time.”

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Dr Awan was not available to clarify his statement when he was contacted.

In Peshawar, PTI chairman Imran Khan said ethics are the true spirit of democracy and added prime ministers, all over the world, step down for lying to the public.

“There is a downpour of lies, yet our prime minister is adamant on clinging to power,” he said while addressing a news conference at the Lady Reading Hospital on Thursday.

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Quoting an article published in Times of India, Khan said: “India fears for the loss of its ally.”

The article claimed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s loss may strengthen the army, which has India worried, adding it would create “new security complications for India”.

Referring to JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the PTI chairman alleged that the Maulana was backing the premier for the sake of money.