- Says was asked to step down or go on leave during 2014 sit-in
ISLAMABAD, May 23: : Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz quaid Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the purpose of references filed against him in the accountability court was to remove him from PM House and stop the treason case against former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.
“I am holding this presser to reveal and bring on record why cases were filed against me in the accountability court,” Nawaz said while addressing a press conference at Punjab House in Islamabad.
“The purpose of the cases was to get me out of PM House and stop the treason case against Musharraf,” he asserted.
Upholding his earlier statement that the Avenfield reference was filed against him as reciprocal punishment for taking legal action against Musharraf despite being warned not to do so, Nawaz said, “I was sent messages that the treason case against Musharraf would create problems for me.”
“Challenges and pressure mounted on me after the Musharraf treason case,” Nawaz continued while addressing the presser.
The three-time premier further said that former president Asif Ali Zardari conveyed a message to endorse Musharraf’s second martial law. “But I refused to endorse it,” Nawaz maintained.
Nawaz lamented, “It is not easy to bring a dictator to justice and no law can place a dictator in handcuffs.”
Stating that “empty cases” have been filed against him following Panama Papers, the former premier said, “When a minus-one formula is decided then an excuse such as iqama is enough.”
Speaking about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s 2014 sit-in against his government, Nawaz said, “The purpose of the 2014 sit-in was to pressurise me.” “Planners of the sit-in thought I would come under pressure,” he further said adding that the events of the sit-in are in front of the people.
He continued, “I have never been allowed to fulfill a constitutional term.”
“I have said this before and will say it again, decisions should be taken by the people.”
The former premier added, “I have great respect for the armed forces of Pakistan.”
Claiming that he strengthened Pakistan’s defence, Nawaz said, “I advised then army chief to carry out nuclear tests within 17 days.
“I was offered $5 billion to not conduct the atomic bomb test but I did what was best for Pakistan,” he added.
“Pakistan’s respect is important not billions and had I not carried out the nuclear test India’s military might would have been established in the region.”
He continued, “One or two generals decide to violate the Constitution or seize power and a few generals enjoy that decision but the entire armed forces pay the price.”
Earlier on Wednesday while recording his statement for the third consecutive day in Avenfield reference, Nawaz said once the proceedings started against Musharraf he had gauged that it would be hard to get the former military ruler convicted. “All the weapons are made for politicians,” Nawaz remarked.
“When Musharraf left for the court in 2014 he directly went to the hospital as it was decided from before. Musharraf pretended to be sick and avoided the case hearings,” Nawaz said, adding the judges failed to send Musharraf behind bars for even one hour.
Nawaz, while recording his statement in the last five of the 128 questions asked by the accountability court, said that an intelligence agency officer had conveyed to him that he should resign or he would be sent on an extended leave.
Nawaz tells court challenges, pressure increased after Musharraf treason case
“The purpose of the message was to question how dare I initiate an inquiry against Musharraf,” Nawaz said. The three-time premier also remarked that he was asked to make the parliament endorse the second martial law by Musharraf.
The Avenfield reference, pertaining to the Sharif family’s London properties, is among three filed against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last year on the Supreme Court’s directives.
The former premier said that once the proceedings started against Musharraf he had gauged that it would be hard to get the former military ruler convicted. “All the weapons are made for politicians,” Nawaz remarked.
Later, Nawaz Sharif once again hit back at opponents by terming 2014 sit-in at D-Chowk ‘adventurism’ to remove him from office. He said that he received warnings cloaked under suggestions during the sit-in to either resign or flee on extended leave.
“Who was the umpire who was supposed to raise his finger?” asked Nawaz, referring to the frequent statements by Imran Khan mentioning umpire’s finger in his speeches in the sit-in.
He said during a presser at the Punjab House, Islamabad that dictatorship hurt Pakistan more than anything. He said that whenever a military dictator usurped power from civilians, he brought the whole institution into disrepute. He reiterated that he has nothing but respect for the armed forces of Pakistan.
“Panama Papers was just an excuse to oust me. There were no Panama Papers in 1999,’ he said, “I talked about real democracy 20 years ago. I did it again this time and that is my ‘crime.'”
Not irked by the different titles he has been receiving lately, Nawaz Sharif said he does not care whatever anyone calls him.
“Call me Sicilian Mafia, Godfather or traitor, I don’t mind,’ he said, ‘I deem asking for certificate of patriotism from someone a shame for my patriotism.”
He said that PML (N) has performed exemplary services in the last five years like FATA reforms, curbing terrorism, bringing mega-projects like CPEC to Pakistan.
“The whole nation knows the reasons behind my disqualification. I took a firm stand against Pervez Musharraf for his antics despite being suggested otherwise by people like Mr. Zardari,” he revealed.-Agencies/NNI
