Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal. PHOTO: APP
At a press conference in Lahore, Iqbal also appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to ‘investigate’ claims in the social media that certain influential quarters were pushing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file an appeal in Hudabiya Paper Mills case.
References against Sharifs: NAB wants to quiz JIT
The minister said that these allegations should be taken seriously, adding that he had also asked the department concerned under his ministry to investigate the revelations in social media. He pointed out that the Hudabiya Paper Mills case was a 15-year-old case and its reopening would eventually give a message that any past decision given after due trial was not final.
He said that institutions should not take Parliament as an orphanage. “Parliament is supreme,” he said. “Parliament represents the will of the 200 million people. If the supremacy of the people is challenged the foundations of the Constitution will weaken.”
Criticising the court’s decision against Sharif, he said the disqualification of the former prime minister would be seen in the list of other controversial decisions. He added that the court decision should not be tainted with anger.
NAB to file appeal in Hudabiya case today
Iqbal said that Sharif was deprived of his constitutional right to a fair trial by not giving him the right to appeal. He mentioned that Article 10-A of the Constitution ensured the right to a fair trial with due process of the law and it was a fundamental right to file an appeal.
He said that corrupt leaders empty national exchequer but they do not present their children for accountability. The charge of not drawing a meagre amount in salary -- which even if declared would have made no difference -- was beyond his understanding, he added.
He added legal experts and the people at large expressed their reservations regarding the decision. He said that WhatsApp calls for formation of the joint investigation team (JIT) was unprecedented in judicial history. “However, despite our reservations, we accepted court’s decision,” he said.
Praising Sharif, he said under his leadership Pakistan was on the road to prosperity, with load-shedding falling from 20 to four hours and projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) getting started.
NAB suggests freezing of Sharifs’ assets
“Pakistan made visible progress as motorways were being constructed, electricity load-shedding was being overcome, terrorism eliminated and foreign reserves doubled in four years. Karachi was heading towards peace [and] Balochistan is coming into mainstream,” he added
Ahsan Iqbal congratulated the country on the successful holding of Independence Cup and added that the event helped highlight a positive image of the country. He lauded the role of law-enforcement agencies in ensuring fool-proof security during the cricket matches.
He said during the current fiscal year, domestic tourism witnessed increase and the way in which Pakistan's 70th Independence Day was celebrated indicated the revival of hope and optimism among the people.
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