Mashhood suspended as PML-N member

Development comes hours after the PML-N leader retracted his controversial statement

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has suspended the membership of former Punjab minister Rana Mashhood and initiated an inquiry against him, after his controversial interview in which he claimed PML-N had struck an understanding with the establishment.

A three member committee comprising Raja Zafar Ul Haq, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Rana Tanveer has been formed on orders of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, to probe the matter. The panel will submit its report in two weeks.

Mashhood’s interview has stirred furor not only within, but also outside the party, attracting harsh criticism for “trying to sway the by-elections with such misleading statement”.  The party was quick to distance itself from the statement, and described it as Mashhood’s personal opinion. The ex-minister himself retracted his remarks on Wednesday.



Talking to the media, he said his remarks were taken out of context and that he was ‘grieved to see his words being twisted’. He, though, was accompanied by former Punjab govt spokesperson Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan to ensure everything remained under check.



He said that he did not talk about improving ties between military and his party nor of any deal. “PML-N has never done a deal, nor will it ever strike one,” he stated.

The media talk was quickly taken over by Khan, who informed reporters the party had already taken notice of the impression created after his colleague’s interview and has sought an explanation from him.

Meanwhile, PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif rejected the interview given by Rana Mashhood, saying “such interview was not needed and was far from reality.” He said the party has sought an explanation from the former provincial minister.

Earlier in the day, Hamza Shehbaz wondered why a person would leave his ailing wife on a deathbed and return to face imprisonment, if at the end he had to strike a deal. “Nawaz Sharif leaving his ailing wife and returning to Pakistan was no deal” said Hamza claiming there was no weight in Mashhood’s statement.



Punjab Information Minister Fiaz ulHasan Chohan said that it was not Mashhood’s personal opinion rather it was PML-N’s opinion, which was evident with the way their leaders accompanied him in the Punjab Assembly. He said that it was an old trick in PML-N’s book to give a controversial statement and then retract from it, after it backfires.

“The actual agenda is to fool the public into believing that they have mended ties with establishment so they can sway votes for themselves and win by-elections,” alleged Chohan adding that it was also PML-N’s attempt to cast shadow of doubt over the 2018 general elections.

Reactions

The Pakistan Army had reacted strongly to the allegations. "Attribution of an obvious vested statement by Rana Mashhood is baseless and regrettable," said a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

“Such irresponsible expressions are detrimental to stability in the country,” added DG ISPR Major-General Asif Ghafoor.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb also rejected reports of a ‘deal’ and termed Mashhood’s statements “personal opinion”.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, senior leader Rana Sanaullah had said there had been no deal with any agency or establishment. He added that the PML-N had taken a clear stance over post and pre-poll rigging. “Our stance will not change. Who would we strike a deal with?”

He said if the party would have struck a deal long time back if it wanted to. He asserted that the PML-N did not want to destablise the PTI government.

Sources told The Express Tribune that Mashhood’s claims landed the party in trouble. They said the party was already plagued with the perception of a deal with the establishment. They added that the interview will adversely effect party position. “We were telling the voters that their leader, Nawaz Sharif, has been facing hardships because of the powers that be. On the other hand, there are such puerile and uncalled for statements suggesting that the party has struck a deal with them.”