The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief went after the military with all guns blazing on Thursday, blaming the current situation of the country on “the generals”.
Addressing a Christmas ceremony at a church in Lahore, Nawaz Sharif asserted that the days of taking ‘extra-constitutional steps’ are long gone. The nation will now support rule of law and democracy instead of any dictator, he said.
“Each and every person living in Pakistan is bound to follow the constitution and no one is above the law. If someone thinks they are supreme to the law, they are living in a fool’s paradise,” he added.
Nawaz said that military dictators had overthrown prime ministers, hanged people and sent some on exile, and none of them cared about the alarming situation of the country’s economy.
He added that it was “pathetic” that none of the generals have been held accountable. He also asked an ‘absconding general’ whether he felt any shame.
The PML-N chief further said his party mended the relationship between Pakistan and India, and both nations were headed towards progress. Unfortunately, he added, a dictator sabotaged that process and brought the country back to square one.
Nawaz also pointed out that a civilian government is going to complete its five-year tenure without military intervention for the first time in Pakistan’s history.
He further said that the upcoming elections would be an ‘accountability day’, during which the nation would make a choice between who works hard for the county and those who loot the nation’s money.
Speaking on the issue of minorities, Nawaz said there should not be any distinction between ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ as each citizen of the country has equal rights.
Meanwhile, former president of the Tehreek-e-Insaf UK chapter Rabia Zia announced to join the PML-N during a meeting with the party chief.
Separately, head of the Mahar family of Sindh Ali Gohar Mahar met Nawaz in Raiwind on Thursday, where he is said to have asked the party chief for his daughter’s hand in marriage for his son. Although the Mahar family recently announced to join the Pakistan Peoples Party, sources have said that they are reconsidering their initial choice and have been approaching the PML-N in this regard.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2012.
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"Meanwhile, former president of the Tehreek-e-Insaf UK chapter Rabia Zia announced to join the PML-N during a meeting with the party chief." I had commented after IK's detention in Canada by US immigration officials that soon all PTI overseas members shall be leaving his party, not only in USA but also in UK and Europe. In the recent TV talk show with Hamid Mir on Capital Talk, Chaudhury Nissar talked about IK's recent visit to UK after his visit to USA. During this visit, IK was detained in UK, not by the Immigration officials for his stance on drones but by the Customs officials for some other reasons. In the same breath, Nissar also mentioned of one of his visits to USA with other government officials and his refusal to allow drug sniffing dogs of the drug enforcement agencies to sniff his baggage at US airport. He also disclosed about the several sleazy videos of IK partying with wine and woman that are now in circulation. He also said that photographs may be morphed but videos cannot be morphed as they have moving images and sound recordings. Chaudhury Nisar said that he does not want to make these any issue or talk about them but said everything to understand IK's character clearly. I would still say that if elections are held (big If and doubt here) and if PTI wins the 11th seat, it would be a bonus. I like many, also liked him very much in the beginning but when I heard him repeatedly saying that his ex wife was formerly a Christian and not a Jew, I felt disgusting. What more can you say if the former religion of your ex wife matters so much. Is it that conversion of a Christian to muslim is different from converting a Jew to Christian? His silence on many issues, like conversion of hindus, terrorism in the name of religion could be heard very loud and clear by everyone. Even his staunch supporter Haroon Rasheed has said that IK may not be financially corrupt but is morally corrupt. What is really a pity is that IK had the real chance to bring a change but .................
My Vote for PML N...! The only REAL and sincere party!
whhhaaaaaatttt?????. are you drunk or void of facts about pakistan history, politicians and maulvi hazarat@sabi:
No to generals and their bigots idealogists-Yes to Jinnah yes to NS.Change is inevitable hope this is a last war between Jinnah's Pakistan and Anti Jinnah right wingers,cheap idealogists.
@Falcon: Rabia Zia’s joining of PMLN is indeed a surprise. So much for being an ideological worker. When will you surprise yourself!
He was brought up as a politician by Military Dictator Zia-ul-Haq. Zulfiqar Bhutto was brought up as a politician by Military Dictator Ayub Khan.
The next election in Pakistan will be interesting in the sense that people will have two clear choice . ZARDARI or SHARIF !! As both of them dislike IK who wants to give political shelter to the jehadees . Army in Pakistan has a definite role to play i.e . Keeping terrirists away from Islamabad and balliot boxes .
Hypocrisy... he himself nourished in the dairy form of Zia ul haq and promised on his grave to complete his mission. I am not sure what mission had he except using Islam as a tool to stay in power. I hope that Pakistani people would not be fooled this time.
Does the PMLN leader realizes that taking bribe, not paying tax, hoarding money oversees and putting family over and above the country is also unconstitutional.
He may be allowed to complete his trem of 5 years. Then people can feel difference or reject him.
And... since are elected officials are so 'innocent'.... (insert sarcasm)
Isn't he a product of military establishment? Now he is playing all innocent.
Does he ever have anything new to say? Surprised he didn't start going off on one about the motorway....
Rabia Zia's joining of PMLN is indeed a surprise. So much for being an ideological worker.