CJP's promises worth nothing if free, fair elections not held on time: Nawaz

Nawaz says will speak to PM Abbasi about NAB targeting politicians before general elections

ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday commended the remarks made by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar regarding free and fair elections on time, adding that the top judge’s promises would reduce to nothing if polls are delayed.

Speaking to the media inside and outside accountability court, Nawaz touched upon multiple topics. He said that the CJP has envisioned the general elections to be held on time and supports him.

"The requirements of free and fair elections should also be worked on and implemented," said the former premier and added that a new debate is now raging over the possible delay in polls. He also appreciated the CJP's rejection of such rumours.

Nawaz maintained that there should be a "level-playing field" which allows equal opportunity to participate in elections. He further added that there should be equal accountability for all.

Once again comparing his disqualification verdict with Imran Khan's, he said the allegations levelled against Imran were far worse than those against him.



"I’ve been removed from party head and disqualified," he said, adding that its tantamount to preempted rigging, and referred to his double-disqualification; from the office of PM and from the position of party chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

"Wasn’t disqualification enough," questioned Nawaz.

NAB's jurisdiction and laws

The former premier also took a direct shot at the country's top anti-graft body - the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) - and claimed that a pattern has emerged.

The pattern dictates that NAB is targeting politicians before the general elections, he said. "I have my reservations over this, and in my meeting today with PM Abbasi, I will propose and request a strategy to counter this," Nawaz said.

He added that a law or resolution needs to be proposed in which NAB laws would be relaxed from a time period prior to the elections until the caretaker government's reign is over. Nawaz says such a legal framework will help the elections.

Senate scandal

Nawaz urged the chief justice to take notice of Balochistan's political landscape. "Whatever happened in Balochistan was pre-poll rigging," he claimed, referring to the Senate elections.

The PML-N Quaid said that whatever has been happening since the ousting of the former chief minister and with the entrance of CM Abdul Quddus Bizenjo needs to be assessed.

The Quaid of PML-N further added that those who switch loyalties for money or selfish reasons are to be rejected. "The country doesn't need people like these," he said, gesturing to those who switch political parties for personal gains. The PML-N slogan "vote ko izzat dou" is to preserve the sanctity of the vote, and those who sell loyalties disrespect votes.



"They will have to face the music in the upcoming elections," Nawaz added, strongly condemning said tradition. "This tradition of buying and selling votes needs to end."

London Flats vs Model Town

Nawaz also spoke about the Avenfield apartments and Model Town properties in Lahore. "In 1969, Sharif family bought roughly 100 kanal and built houses on it," he said. "We had sources at the time to acquire these properties."

He then went on to say, "What value do these London flats have in front of the Model Town properties?" He further added that Avenfield properties don't even amount to a fraction of the worth of the Lahore properties.

Nawaz further strengthened the claim that Sharif family was rich in the 1970s, referring to a factory owned by the family which was big enough to be included in the nationalisation scheme of Bhutto.

"What sources they’re looking for is beyond me, these are assets we had in the 1970s, I don’t know what they’re looking for now," he said.

Broadcasting trials

Answering questions regarding PML-N claims of public broadcasting of the accountability trial, Nawaz said, "We support broadcasting of the trial, we aren't the ones who take U-turns," he said taking a jibe at PTI's recent demand for making the trial proceedings public. "We stand by our words, you can consider it our written version."

When asked why the PML-N hasn't filed for public broadcasting, he said that we never have and never will deviate from our claims, and the public knows it. "We believe in ideology and we follow the same school of thought – all of us sitting in court today," he said gesturing to the Balochistan leaders who accompanied him. "Those who follow ideology stick to their beliefs, they’re not short-term."

Bizenjo, Achakzai offer opinion

"No one should be disqualified on the basis of Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution," said Mir Hasil Bizenjo said. He further added that the judiciary should appreciate Nawaz's consistent appearance before the courts.

"There are no two opinions on the double standards of the judiciary," Bizenjo added.

Chief of Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai saluted the CJP for his remarks supporting democracy and elections. "Bravo, CJP, Bravo!" he said.

Achakzai also said that Pakistan can become the best federation if no one violates the Constitution and the oath every official takes in which they promise to uphold the law. "If we stay within our oaths and our positions, we can progress massively," he added.



Nawaz reiterated Achakzai's position and said that the institutions need to stay within their limits in order for the country to prosper. "Dialogue is always good to settle issues, but there should be no feudal thinking, as to overtake or control some institution. If this isn’t in mind, then it can be settled," he said.

TTP Threat

With rumours floating about of the alleged threat to Nawaz, Shehbaz and Imran from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), questions arose.  Nawaz gave an example of his GT Road rally following the disqualification verdict, saying he was informed about security threats at the time. But he went ahead with the rally.  He said that on arrival at Jhelum, security officials warned him to return or take a helicopter to Lahore. "It is bound to happen, this is what I have been told," he said security officials informed him beforehand.