Interview on Mumbai attacks: Shehbaz says Sharif misquoted

Says ZAB, Benazir were great leaders but Zardari plundered Sindh’s wealth


Z Ali May 13, 2018
Shehbaz was speaking at a public rally in Mirpurkhas. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

MIRPURKHAS: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif at a public meeting in Mipurkhas district on Sunday attempted to clarify the ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement in an interview to the Indian media.

Shehbaz said that his party rejects all assertions, direct or implied, made in the news report of Dawn, dated 12-05-18.

“The state of Pakistan and all its institutions stand together in the global fight against terrorism. We strongly believe that the interests of Pakistan are supreme to all personal and political interests. There can and shall never be any compromise on any national interest. The report has incorrectly attributed certain remarks to PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, which do not represent the party policy,” added Shehbaz.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his brother has been quoted out of context. "A newspaper yesterday presented interview of Nawaz Sharif after distorting it," alleged Shehbaz and added "It [the interview] stated that the non-state actors who attacked Mumbai [in 2008] were allowed to go from Pakistan”.

Shehbaz Sharif urges unity among senior party leadership

 

The CM highlighted that Pakistan's army including its officers and soldiers as well as their children have offered sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

Sharif added that the politicians and their children as well as the common people have also been martyred in the combat against terror. "Will such a country, state, army, government or public will ever allow any terrorist or non-state actor to use land of Pakistan for terrorism in another state? Is it possible?" he questioned.

In an interview published in Daily Dawn on May 12, Nawaz has been quoted as tacitly admitting that Pakistan allowed terrorists to slip into India for the Mumbai attacks. "Militant organisations are active.

Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial?," said Nawaz in the interview.

The PML-N's President blamed India for conspiring to ignite agitation in Balochistan and for using the Afghan soil to militancy against Pakistan. He also accused the Indian army and prime minister Narendra Modi's government of committing brutality against the Kashmiri people.

Elections

"We will turn Sindh prosperous. From Karachi to Kashmore we will make Sindh [as developed] as Punjab," said Shehbaz while addressing the public gathering.

He went on to pledge interest free loans to the farmers in Sindh if they voted for PML-N in the upcoming general elections. He added that his government will also provide quality health services and establish Danish schools in each district of Sindh.

Sharif contended that Sindh is getting its due share of water but mismanagement by the provincial government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been causing shortage. "If just distribution is not taking place here [in Sindh] then the provincial rulers are responsible for the situation and…blame the federal government," he added.

PML-N questions former party chief's narrative

"We gave interest free loans to farmers in Punjab. Did the farmers in Sindh get the same financial support from the provincial government,” he questioned.

Shehbaz said that former PM and PPP's founding leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former PM Benazir Bhutto were great political leaders." Zardari has plundered wealth of Sindh and stashed it in Dubai," he alleged.

The PML-N Sindh's leader Syed Shah Muhammad Shah said PML-Functional leader Pir Pagara and Nawaz Sharif are political allies. Senator Asad Junejo who hosted the visit said that Sharif and Pagara desire to see a developed and prosperous Sindh. Other Sindh based leaders of the PML-N also addressed the public meeting.

COMMENTS (3)

Anees A. | 5 years ago | Reply They are desperately trying to back track, but it's a bit late, sorry!
Ather Shehab | 5 years ago | Reply Not favoring Sharifs & Zardaris but Imran is a wrong bet
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