Nawaz vows to hold accountable those behind his victimisation

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has said that his purpose of returning to the country was not only to form government but he also wanted accountability of those involved in political victimisation of his party leaders.

He said this while addressing the party’s parliamentary board meeting flanked by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Vice President Maryam Nawaz and other leaders in Lahore on Friday.

Speaking about the corruption cases registered against him and his family members, Nawaz said those who lodged “bogus cases” should be taken to task.

“Our party leaders were put behind bars in false cases and I am being delivered justice after a period of seven years,” the PML-N supremo said.

He was referring to the graft cases registered against him and his family members following the infamous Panama Papers revelations.

While he was prime minister of the country, the Supreme Court disqualified him for life for not declaring a receivable salary and also directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file references against him.

Subsequently, the accountability courts sentenced him in Avenfield and Al-Aziza references in 2018.

However, the IHC overturned his conviction in the Avenfield reference last month while his appeal in Al-Azizia reference is pending before the court.

Nawaz, in today’s address, said they wanted to serve the nation but at the same time, he demanded to hold accountable those individuals involved in the alleged victimisation of the PML-N leaders.

Nawaz, who returned to the country after ending a four-year self-imposed exile in London in October this year, said he did not return to the country only to form a government but also wanted action against those involved in corruption and political victimisation.

Referring to the alleged leaked audio conversation of former chief justice Saqib Nisar, Nawaz said the ex-top judge could be heard saying that the PML-N leaders, including him, should remain behind bars to pave the way for the then Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan ahead of 2018 general elections.

Without naming anyone, Nawaz also took a jibe at former PTI chief Imran Khan and termed the 190 million pounds NAB reference against the PTI leaders a “biggest scam” in the country’s history.

“They don’t know anything about morals and principles of state of Madinah..they just used this to promote their political agenda,” he said while referring to the PTI supremo's slogan to make Pakistan a Madina-like welfare state.

“190 million pound case is the biggest scandal and there are no doubts about it..”