PML-N ‘support’ to PTI’s G-B CM Khurshid in fake degree case raises eyebrows

The senior leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has come under heavy criticism in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) for extending legal assistance to their political opponent Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid in a fake degree case.

The regional Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan, admitting a petition, earlier issued notices to Khalid Khurshid and the vice-chairman of G-B Bar Council to submit their reply on Thursday.

The petition filed separately by former minister Farman Ali of PML-N and former parliamentarian Abdul Hameed of PPP, challenged Khurshid’s degrees, pleading for his removal from the office of the chief minister.

However, it came as a surprise to many when senior PML-N leader and former law minister Aurangeb Khan advocate representing Khurshid approached the G-B chief court and was able to obtain a ‘stay’ against the CEC order.

“Earlier there was doubt about the PML-N and the PTI underhand deal but it’s an open secret now,” Gandal Shah, a local PML-N leader, wrote in one of his comments on Facebook.

Another political activist said PML-N chief Hafeezur Rehman was soft on the PTI government’s bad performance and policies which suggested there was something “cooked up”.

Apart from PML-N supporters, followers of other parties too raised questions over “friendly opposition” between the PML-N and the PTI.

A PPP supporter Khan Alam said Khalid Khurshid survived a no-confidence move recently just because PML-N didn’t want this to happen, so extended lukewarm support to the opposition leader of the PPP.

Responding to criticism advocate Aurangzeb said, “Being a professional lawyer it’s my right to decide which case to choose.” His statement also garnered support from some PML-N supporters.

However hours after his statement, the PML-N issued a show-cause notice to Aurangzeb asking him to explain why he violated the party policy. The show-cause was however dubbed by many as a face-saving attempt.

In response to the show-cause notice, he wrote on his Facebook account, “Thanks to party president for providing me the opportunity to explain myself.”