Ex-CJ Asif Khosa ‘sought extension’

Says PTI chief is ‘fit for rallies but ill for courts’


RAMEEZ KHAN March 09, 2023
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz speaking at a ceremony in Lahore on Wednesday, March 9, 2023.—Photo: Screengrab

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LAHORE:

PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz on Thursday claimed that former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa had asked her father and party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif to grant him an extension, adding that he had refused to do so.

Maryam, who is also the PML-N senior vice president, made these remarks while talking to a private TV channel.

Nawaz was ousted as premier in July 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him in the Panama Papers case. Khosa then headed the apex court bench that had issued the decisive verdict.

In her interview, Maryam, who had been critical of the former CJP for being part of a “conspiracy” against the PML-N supremo, said: “Place your hand on the Quran and tell [the world] was your extension as the chief justice not being talked about?”

“If Nawaz Sharif had agreed, and he (Khosa) would have been given an extension, then Umar Ata Bandial would not be the [current] chief justice.”

Maryam noted that there were also discussions about increasing the retirement age of apex court judges, which she maintained was for Justice (retd) Khosa’s benefit.

She said that a delegation had conveyed the former CJP’s message to Nawaz, who was incarcerated at the time, adding that the PML-N supreme leader had refused to give an extension.

Last month, while addressing a workers’ convention in Sargodha, Maryam alleged that when PTI chairman’s 2014 sit-in failed, the former CJP had told Imran Khan to bring the Panama case before him so that Nawaz could be disqualified.

Separately, while addressing an event in Lahore, Maryam lashed out at the PTI chief, saying that the latter was “ready for rallies” but cited “lame excuses” when he was called for hearings by the courts.

Imran had been facing a slew of cases against him. He had frequently refrained from court appearances in the recent past citing his leg injury which he sustained during an assassination attempt on his life in Wazirabad on November 3 last year.

However, on Wednesday, Imran announced to lead a “peaceful rally” in Lahore. The event took an ugly turn when the police used force against the participants of the march, resulting in the death of a PTI supporter and injuries to several others.
The former ruling party claimed that Bilal had died of police torture.

Maryam called Imran a “jackal” who had “shielded” his party workers and women to protect himself.

“Like jail bharo teheek (court arrest movement), he announced a rally in Lahore and hid himself in his house.”

Expressing grief over the death of Bilal, she said that his life was precious as he was also a human being.

“After seeing the picture of Bilal's father with Imran Khan yesterday, my heart cried ‘tears of blood’ because they (Bilal’s family) were treated like a servant. It is a disgrace for the political worker and his parents. Bilal’s death should be investigated, for which I have made a demand.”

Further censuring Imran, Maryam stated that a person was spreading “anarchy” and urging the youth to take a stand for him after “lurking like cowards”.

She said the youth of the country should “realise” that the PTI chief’s children were “residing safely in London” but he was asking the people to come on roads, adding that Imran was “sitting at home with a plaster [on his leg].”

“Imran is hiding after citing excuses of his leg [injury] and sometimes other diseases, which I cannot name. He is ready for rallies but ill [when called] for court [appearances].”

Maryam questioned whether there was any surety that Imran would not dissolve the assembly if her party takes majority in one assembly and PTI in the other after elections.

She maintained that the PTI chief had “wasted” the nation’s wealth by contesting the by-elections, saying the money belonged to the 220 million of the country.

COMMENTS (3)

Sheikh | 1 year ago | Reply Ill for running out of country fit for shopping travelling. Convicted person
Qamar | 1 year ago | Reply Starting with your papa uncle all politicians play the same trick. Pathetic and shameful to point fingers at others when your family members are masters of deception. Bubloo brothers are ok to live in London enjoying looted wealth
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