Abbasi doubts having level playing field

ISLAMABAD: Doubting the availability of a level playing field in the current political landscape ahead of general elections, PMLN stalwart and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday likened it to the one provided to the PTI when it came to power in 2018.

When Imran Khan-led party won the elections five years ago, it was dubbed “rigged” by the PML-N and others.

Speaking to journalists outside the accountability court here where he appeared in the LPG case against him, Abbasi also touched upon his association with the party when asked about his contact with the party supremo Nawaz Sharif.

The senior politico said no contact had been made with the elder Sharif and there was no need for even him [Nawaz] to do so.

The PMLN stalwart also reiterated that he won’t be contesting the upcoming general elections.

“I am not contesting elections; I have said it a 100 times,” he said.

However, he rejected reports claiming differences with the party leadership. Abbasi said he had resigned as the party’s senior vice president to give Maryam an “open field”.

In an interview with a foreign channel, Abbasi said, “I am not contesting elections, as I do not want to be part of the possible fault [that could emerge] after the election.”

Referring to the statements of the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on elections, Abbasi said it was now certain that the polls would take place as per schedule.

“[I have] been standing in the [National Accountability Court] NAB court for the last 14 years because of a meeting,” he said without elaborating further.

He also wondered if the incumbent chairman of the graft body was not familiar with how these graft cases were made against them.

He added that 14 years was not a short period to get justice.

“After 15 years, everyone says that justice has been done, but who will compensate for the injustice? Who would respond to the cruelty and injustice in the country today,” Abbasi added.