Hero’s welcome for JIT members at Islamabad Club

PML-N’s consultative meetings continue as SC reserves verdict


Sardar Sikander July 22, 2017
PML-N’s consultative meetings continue as SC reserves verdict.

ISLAMABAD: The damning JIT report may have drawn ire of the powerful ruling bigwigs who hardly spare an opportunity to reject and ridicule the investigation document and slam its authors, the opinion of the general public on the issue seems different.

At a time when the PML-N leadership has had its guns blazing, with party stalwarts boisterously calling the JIT report a part of ‘conspiracy’ to send the democratic order packing, at least two instances have surfaced lately where the JIT members have been accorded a hero’s welcome and that too by the general public.

Damning indictment: JIT suggests filing NAB reference against Sharif family

On Tuesday, when SECP representative in the JIT Bilal Rasool visited the Islamabad Club to do the gym, he was warmly welcomed by the members. People present there recognised him and hailed his ‘bold’ contribution to the probe and his co-authoring the ‘daring’ report despite the serious life threats and the professional challenges the investigation panel reportedly faced.

A member of the Islamabad Club, Rasool used to visit the club’s gym. However, he stopped visiting the club after being assigned the job of probing the Sharif family’s offshore properties as his security, along with that of other JIT members, was increased.

On his first visit to the club after a while, Rasool was pleasantly surprised at the reception he received by the club members who took pride in shaking hands with him, exchanging greetings and taking selfies.

Separately, JIT Chairman Wajid Zia received a similar warm welcome on a visit to the Islamabad Club.

Zia, who came to the club in Rangers protection, was easily recognised by members of the club as well as staff.

A senior government official reportedly kissed the JIT chief on his forehead for “doing a great service to the nation”.

Zia was quoted as having thanked those present there, and saying that the JIT members, irrespective of all pressures, did their job to the best of their abilities and conscience to bring out the truth.

JIT report: Buy time or file objections?

“We have done our job, the rest is up to the superior court,” he referred to the crucial Panamagate case in the Supreme Court.

The Express Tribune tried to contact Rasool but his cellphone number was switched off. Zia, meanwhile, did not respond to calls and messages for his comments on the issue.

Consultative huddles

Consultative meetings in the power corridors continued on Friday since the Supreme Court reserved the judgement in the Panamagate case.

According to sources in the ruling party, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had plans to directly fly to Lahore after inaugurating the Lowari Tunnel earlier on Thursday and to spend the weekend there. But the strong remarks from the apex court on the last day of the hearing compelled him to return to Islamabad and consult with his aides.

The top court observed that prima facie the documents submitted by the PM’s children appeared to be forged – an observation that has sent shockwaves in the power corridors.

The prime minister would continue to attend public events and official meetings in order to counter the opposition and give an impression that he was in command of the government, said the sources. The ruling lot would wait for the announcement of the top court’s judgement before mapping out its future strategy.

PML-N bins JIT report as a ‘piece of trash’

Depending on the court verdict, the PML-N has kept the option of in-house change open and names of party stalwarts – including Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi – are under consideration.

Apart from that, the prime minister also met Mehmood Khan Achakzai, head of the PkMAP and the PML-N allies in Balochistan.

A brief statement from the PM House on Friday said development projects in Balochistan and political matters came under discussion during the meeting.

 

 

COMMENTS (12)

Imran Qadri | 6 years ago | Reply Now all these members of JIT can officially join PTI and contest 2018 elections. I assure them that their surety money will be forfeited (zamanut zaabt)
Zee | 6 years ago | Reply @Bill: It's the investigation of the corrupt politicians, not the bureaucrats. Seems like you're not aware of even the most basic facts here.
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