PM Shehbaz calls for in-camera session to probe ‘threatening letter’

Premier says he won't stay in power 'for a moment' if previous opposition's role in 'foreign conspiracy' is proven

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced that he would be soon arranging an in-camera session of the parliamentary security committee to ascertain the facts involved in the purported foreign letter regarding alleged foreign interference into the country's internal affairs.

He made these remarks during his maiden speech in the National Assembly after his election to the office of the prime minister.

He added that besides others, top military and intelligence brass and Pakistan's ambassador would attend the meeting.

“On behalf of this House, I assure the nation that if any involvement is proved, I will not stay as prime minister for even a second and go home after tendering resignation,” he declared.

PM Shehbaz in his speech accused the former ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, of staging a drama in the country and churning lies over a purported foreign letter.

Also read: Struggle against 'foreign conspiracy' begins today: Imran Khan

He wondered as to why, despite an announcement by the former speaker of the assembly, no one had brought the letter to him to see it.

The premier added that the country of 220 million people and members of parliament wanted to know the reality involved "in this drama", and asked the facts to be exposed to the nation and the world to end the debate.

He highlighted that prior to the surfacing of the letter on March 7, opposition parties, including the PML-N, PPP and PDM had taken their decision over the vote of no confidence.

Earlier today, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23^rd prime minister of Pakistan after securing 174 votes in the 342-member lower house of parliament. Later, he formally took the oath of the office of the prime minister. He was a joint nominee of the opposition.‘

An attempt for an NRO’

However, PM Shehbaz’ offer for the lettergate’s probe didn’t go down well with the PTI.

Responding to his remarks, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said his party rejects the offer, and went on to term it an "attempt to self-issued NRO".

He added that in order to probe the ‘threat letter’, the Supreme Court should form an independent commission led by a person of flawless reputation.

شہباز شریف کی لیٹر گیٹ اسکینڈل کی تحقیقات کرانے کی پیشکش کو مسترد کرتے ہیں، یہ خود کو NRO دینے کی بھونڈی کوشش ہے، لیٹر گیٹ کی تحقیقات کیلئے سپریم کورٹ کو آزاد کمیشن بنانا چاہئے جس کی سربراہی ایسے شخص کے پاس ہو جس پر کوئ انگلی نہ اٹھا سکے۔۔

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 11, 2022

Probing 'lettergate'

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq on Monday urged the Supreme Court to form a judicial commission to bring the 'lettergate' fiasco and the resulting political crisis in the country to an end.

"The top court is the centre of hope of the people," he said, adding, "Divisions among the masses won't let them deal with any foreign conspiracies."

He pointed out that the former government was terming the "threatening letter" an open act of intervention in the internal matters of the country whereas the new one was dismissing it.

Also read: 'Military finds no evidence of foreign conspiracy against PM Imran'

Siraj also said a judicial commission led by the sitting judges will distinguish between the truth and the falsehood.

"The former PM should have taken parliament and the masses into confidence in time if he had received any such letter," he maintained.

The JI chief lamented that ethical and democratic norms were being continuously desecrated, and added that this practice made a mockery of the supremacy of the Constitution and the law.

He went on to add that political parties waged a war on their interests and it only harmed the country and the people.

"The formation of a national stance should be the priority of democratic forces of Pakistan," he said. "Decisions made on the basis of money and turncoats will take Pakistan back further."

The JI chief urged the masses to unitedly begin a movement to establish an Islamic system in the country to safeguard its sovereignty and integrity.