Former PM Nawaz Sharif with his daughter Maryam outside an accountability court in Islamabad. PHOTO: FILE
Addressing the media outside the accountability court, the ousted premier further claimed that the treason trial of former president Pervez Musharraf will conclude in six months.
Govt yet to notify new Musharraf trial court
Reiterating that he is being targetted for initiating a treason case against the former military ruler, Nawaz added that the former military ruler also disrespected the Parliament. "He demonstrated his power on May 12 and now he's sitting in a foreign country like a coward."
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is yet to issue a notification regarding the composition of the special court for Musharraf's treason trial.
"A three-time premier attends hearings while a dictator walks free," Nawaz lamented, adding that Musharraf can not run away from the case and the trial would reach its logical conclusion eventually.
Nawaz also said that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is a huge part of the party and the country. He further added that he respects and cares greatly for the premier. "The way he's handled the country in the last ten months is commendable. There are, at times, two to three different powers at play, and this is not how a country should be."
He added, however, that a year ago people praised the country's development, now the currency exchange rates have fallen, the stock market collapsed and the GDP anticipated could not be achieved.
Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Nawaz said Imran curses the Parliament but enjoys parliamentary benefits. "If this is not called an insult to the Parliament, it's called settling at the same spot where you spat."
The deposed PM also said that a National Security Council meeting should be convened to discuss the threats that come with General Lt Asad Durrani's new book with former RAW chief. "The revelations in the book call for the NSC."
"A national commission should be formed to oversee such issues and investigate them," he said, adding that if given a chance to form government again, they would initiate such a commission.
The treason case against the former military ruler was instituted on charges of subverting the Constitution by imposing ‘emergency rule’ on November 3, 2007. On April 7, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar proposed fresh composition of the special bench, led by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Yawar Ali, but the federal government is yet to issue a formal notification.
Bearing the brunt of Musharraf trial, says Nawaz Sharif
The CJP also proposed the name of a Sindh High Court (SHC) judge, Justice Nazar Akbar and Justice Tahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court (BHC). The top judge suggested the new composition after Chief justice of the Peshawar High Court Yahya Afridi recused himself from hearing the case on March 29.
Justice Yawar Ali is set to retire on October 22 this year and it remains to be seen if the proceedings could conclude before his retirement. Sources in the law ministry told The Express Tribune that the notification would be issued after the federal cabinet’s approval. The summary has been sent, but it had not yet made to the cabinet’s agenda, they maintained.
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