Joining the chorus against a beleaguered government, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has asserted that the cases against the president were ‘genuine’ and the country is witnessing complete defiance of the Supreme Court orders by the current government, Express News reported.
“The cases against Zardari are genuine. How long will the government hide behind the pretext of immunity,” asked Nawaz while talking to anchor Javed Chaudhry in an interview with Express News.
“The foreign courts have already declared that part of the $60 million included kickbacks and stolen money ... this money belonged to the people and they can not run away with it.”
Nawaz said that the people of the country do not care about President Asif Ali Zardari’s immunity and are more concerned about their money that was transferred to Swiss banks.
Nawaz said that the money was transferred overnight into Swiss banks. “Immunity is a question that the country can deal with later, the real question at hand right now is: where is the money?
Why no letter?
Commenting on the government’s stance on writing letters to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Zardari, Nawaz said: “Letters should have been written as soon as the Supreme Court’s orders were released. The court has been reiterating it, but they (the government) are making excuses and violating orders continuously.”
Nawaz stated let alone writing the letter to the Swiss, the Supreme Court’s orders have been completely violated time and again by the ruling party.
The PML-N chief also censured the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying that there were differing statements within the party regarding the president’s immunity. “Some say he has immunity, some say he doesn’t.”
The PML-N chief stated that the question of the president’s immunity will now be decided by the courts.
Civil-military standoff
Regarding the Memogate case and the standoff between the civilian government and the military establishment, the PML-N leader said that both the parties were making “unnecessary” moves.
“The prime minister’s remarks against the chief of army staff were completely unnecessary. He should’ve avoided making such comments,” asserted Nawaz.
On the other hand, he contended that even the army’s response was not acceptable. “They cannot address the prime minister of their country in those words.
“Ideally both the parties should’ve sat together in the president or PM house ... and solved it through dialogue without making a mockery of the country in front of the media.”
Nawaz also criticised Aitzaz Ahsan who represented Gilani during his contempt of court hearing on Thursday: “Aitzaz had played his role in freeing the judiciary and fulfilled his national duty, but today he has changed his statement.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2012.
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Nawaz was interviewed at the NRO hearing few years back and he was supporting the immunity of the President. Now to appease the public he is talking investigation. Whom you are fooling this time? Don't play double game as leaders like you have given four year open chit to Zardari to plunder the country more. Your wait time has increased as you have lost your turn to some one else now and who knows what happen then...........I will give credit to PM for showing decency at the supreme court though I am not his supporter for many other reasons.
Mr. Nawaz Sharif if this is so and you are true on your stance then first show your real assets within and abroad Pakistan.