Sharif threatens to 'spill the beans'
PML-N chief terms coming elections referendum on verdict against him
Former PM Nawaz Sharif addresses a press conference at Punjab House in Islamabad on Wednesday. PHOTO: INP
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday threatened to “expose the secretive moves to patronise blue-eyed people at the cost of flouting public mandate” if this practice did not stop.
“I will tell everything and share the evidence with the nation. I will not stay silent anymore. I will divulge the facts and unveil the evil designs (of certain elements) to pamper their ‘ladlas’ (favourites) and to marginalise elected public representatives,” the former PM said while addressing a press conference at Punjab House after appearing before an accountability court hearing cases against him.
“The behind-the-curtain activities will be known to the nation. What goes on behind closed doors to destabilise democratic set-up through conspiracies — how ‘ladlas’ are nurtured and planted to overrun the will of the public – will be unearthed.”
Nawaz Sharif returns amid varied speculations
Sharif did not name anyone, but was apparently referring to the security establishment’s alleged support to Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“Why are you guys here in such huge number?” he asked the journalists in a lighter vein before the press briefing. Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders gave an impression during a delay of about an hour before the press conference that a detailed statement on Sharif’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia was being prepared, but he neither spoke on the issue nor answered any question. However, he told reporters outside the accountability court earlier that there was nothing unusual in his visit as his family enjoyed longstanding close ties there.
A PML-N leader told The Express Tribune, “The visit led to speculation that a deal was in the making and that Mian sahib would now get soft on the establishment and judiciary. Today, he has again attacked the security establishment (in implied vibes, though). This conveys the message that there’s been no such deal whatsoever.” The source said Sharif might hold a media briefing in Lahore either separately or along with Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on their Saudi visit.
The former PM termed United States President Donald Trump’s recent threatening tweet against Pakistan ‘highly unfortunate and unwarranted’. “This kind of tweet at the start of the new year is against diplomatic protocols and ethics. It’s unbecoming of a head of state. The American president should know it well that the money the US gave to Pakistan under CSF (Coalition Support Fund) was not charity or donation. You don’t need to sound generous — as if you gave us a favour,” he said.
“Pakistan has paid the heaviest price in the war against terrorism both in men and material. I will request Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to take effective measures at the diplomatic level so that our self-respect is not attacked by anyone like that.”
However, he also said, “I have been insisting for long that we need to put our own house in order if we want to be respected in the world. Why the world sees us with suspicion? Why the blood of our people, our soldiers, our policemen and our other compatriots has become so cheap? I have always insisted on self-reflection but my intentions were doubted. I was dragged into controversies like Dawn leaks. My patriotism was questioned. And the results are for everyone to see. We need to get out of self-deception and self-praise. This self-congratulatory attitude will not help. Self-reflection is required.
Nawaz, Shehbaz meet Prince Muhammad bin Salman
“Conspiracies against democratic institutions will not help. Secret contacts, meet-ups and pushing the politicians to the wall ended up disintegrating this country in the past. It’s high time to draw some lessons.”
Talking earlier outside the accountability court, Sharif said the coming general elections would be a referendum on his disqualification through a Supreme Court judgment.
He said Imran Khan had maintained that the by-election in NA-120, Lahore, where Maryam Nawaz campaigned for her ailing mother, would be a referendum on the verdict. “Khan sahib, you and that bench lost in the referendum,” he added.
He said the PTI leader had benefitted from a tax amnesty scheme in 2000 over his income allegedly generated from unknown sources; tendered apology and admitted transactions of hundreds of thousands of pounds and activities of the Niazi Services, yet the top court had cleared him. Sharif said Khan had sought pardon for the money that might have been generated through stealing, corruption or money laundering but he had been declared Sadiq and Ameen by the Supreme Court.
He said Iqama was just a visa but an elected prime minister was thrown out of his office because of imaginary salary without giving him the benefit of doubt. “This is the contradiction and difference between the two that I have been pointing out.”
Replying to a question over Khan’s bail in four cases by an anti-terrorism court, Sharif said he would disclose details about the issue, claiming that there were several secrets involved and it was all part of a plan.
Sharif said those who had spread speculation about his visit to Saudi Arabia had done injustice to the country and it was very irresponsible on their part.
The former PM said nothing had thus far been detected in the cases against him.
The court recorded the statement of two prosecution witnesses -- Tasleem Khan and Zawar Khan -- while the defence counsel completed cross-examination of Yasir Shabbir who was asked to bring some additional documents. Judge Muhammad Bashir issued summons for six more witnesses and the hearing was adjourned till January 9.
“I will tell everything and share the evidence with the nation. I will not stay silent anymore. I will divulge the facts and unveil the evil designs (of certain elements) to pamper their ‘ladlas’ (favourites) and to marginalise elected public representatives,” the former PM said while addressing a press conference at Punjab House after appearing before an accountability court hearing cases against him.
“The behind-the-curtain activities will be known to the nation. What goes on behind closed doors to destabilise democratic set-up through conspiracies — how ‘ladlas’ are nurtured and planted to overrun the will of the public – will be unearthed.”
Nawaz Sharif returns amid varied speculations
Sharif did not name anyone, but was apparently referring to the security establishment’s alleged support to Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“Why are you guys here in such huge number?” he asked the journalists in a lighter vein before the press briefing. Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders gave an impression during a delay of about an hour before the press conference that a detailed statement on Sharif’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia was being prepared, but he neither spoke on the issue nor answered any question. However, he told reporters outside the accountability court earlier that there was nothing unusual in his visit as his family enjoyed longstanding close ties there.
A PML-N leader told The Express Tribune, “The visit led to speculation that a deal was in the making and that Mian sahib would now get soft on the establishment and judiciary. Today, he has again attacked the security establishment (in implied vibes, though). This conveys the message that there’s been no such deal whatsoever.” The source said Sharif might hold a media briefing in Lahore either separately or along with Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on their Saudi visit.
The former PM termed United States President Donald Trump’s recent threatening tweet against Pakistan ‘highly unfortunate and unwarranted’. “This kind of tweet at the start of the new year is against diplomatic protocols and ethics. It’s unbecoming of a head of state. The American president should know it well that the money the US gave to Pakistan under CSF (Coalition Support Fund) was not charity or donation. You don’t need to sound generous — as if you gave us a favour,” he said.
“Pakistan has paid the heaviest price in the war against terrorism both in men and material. I will request Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to take effective measures at the diplomatic level so that our self-respect is not attacked by anyone like that.”
However, he also said, “I have been insisting for long that we need to put our own house in order if we want to be respected in the world. Why the world sees us with suspicion? Why the blood of our people, our soldiers, our policemen and our other compatriots has become so cheap? I have always insisted on self-reflection but my intentions were doubted. I was dragged into controversies like Dawn leaks. My patriotism was questioned. And the results are for everyone to see. We need to get out of self-deception and self-praise. This self-congratulatory attitude will not help. Self-reflection is required.
Nawaz, Shehbaz meet Prince Muhammad bin Salman
“Conspiracies against democratic institutions will not help. Secret contacts, meet-ups and pushing the politicians to the wall ended up disintegrating this country in the past. It’s high time to draw some lessons.”
Talking earlier outside the accountability court, Sharif said the coming general elections would be a referendum on his disqualification through a Supreme Court judgment.
He said Imran Khan had maintained that the by-election in NA-120, Lahore, where Maryam Nawaz campaigned for her ailing mother, would be a referendum on the verdict. “Khan sahib, you and that bench lost in the referendum,” he added.
He said the PTI leader had benefitted from a tax amnesty scheme in 2000 over his income allegedly generated from unknown sources; tendered apology and admitted transactions of hundreds of thousands of pounds and activities of the Niazi Services, yet the top court had cleared him. Sharif said Khan had sought pardon for the money that might have been generated through stealing, corruption or money laundering but he had been declared Sadiq and Ameen by the Supreme Court.
He said Iqama was just a visa but an elected prime minister was thrown out of his office because of imaginary salary without giving him the benefit of doubt. “This is the contradiction and difference between the two that I have been pointing out.”
Replying to a question over Khan’s bail in four cases by an anti-terrorism court, Sharif said he would disclose details about the issue, claiming that there were several secrets involved and it was all part of a plan.
Sharif said those who had spread speculation about his visit to Saudi Arabia had done injustice to the country and it was very irresponsible on their part.
The former PM said nothing had thus far been detected in the cases against him.
The court recorded the statement of two prosecution witnesses -- Tasleem Khan and Zawar Khan -- while the defence counsel completed cross-examination of Yasir Shabbir who was asked to bring some additional documents. Judge Muhammad Bashir issued summons for six more witnesses and the hearing was adjourned till January 9.