Shujaat’s book launched: Vote cast only for Nawaz, Achakzai has sanctity, says Quddus Bizenjo

Ag Agencies

LAHORE: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo has said whether the vote cast in favour of Nawaz Sharif or Mahmood Khan Achakzai has the sanctity, and not of those given to others by the people of Pakistan.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s book “Sach Tou Yeh Hay”, here on Tuesday, Bizenjo said his father had advised him in his will that “I should never support Nawaz Sharif even if he becomes the president of America”. He wondered that those who themselves never pay respect to people’s mandate were talking of restoring the “sanctity of vote”.

Speaking as the chief guest at the ceremony, Bizenjo said, the Sharifs had never respected the elected representatives, but he is talking of respect of vote. “Had Nawaz Sharif’s candidate been elected as Senate chairman instead of Sadiq Sanjrani, then the vote must have sanctity. “Why they are not respecting the votes cast in Senate for electing the chairman if they really believe in sanctity of vote,” asked the Balochistan CM.

The CM, also chief guest on the occasion, thanked the PML-Q president for giving him honour and said that the Chaudhry family was respected and valued in Balochistan, because they know how to respect and honour people, while Nawaz does not know how to give respect to others. He honours none but himself, which is why the people of Balochistan rejected him.

He said the only party with democracy prevalent in its ranks is PML-Q, which is why he valued Chaudhry Shujaatand Pervez Elahi. “I shall always remain their diligent worker,” he announced.

PML-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujaat, speaking on the occasion, said Pakistan’s dignity and security were most important for him. He said he penned down political life of half a century without any exaggeration, Sh Rashid said.

Quoting from his book, Ch Shujaat said Nawaz Sharif had asked him to frame PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari in a ‘fake narcotics case’. However, he refused to do so, writes Ch Shujaat in his autobiography titled ‘Sach To Yeh Hai’.

The book launch was held at a local hotel and was attended by notables from all walks of life. Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Ayaz Ameer, Hamid Mir, Hassan Nisar and Oriya Maqbool also spoke on the occasion.

The 328-page book comprising 20 chapters gives an account of the life and times of Chaudhry Shujaat, his political journey and major events he was witness to, which shaped the political scene of the country. “There are a lot of secrets buried in me, which are a sacred trust of the people.

“Whatever I have observed during my lifetime, I have tried to describe it in the best words possible without altering any truth to my advantage,” said the PML-Q president while thanking the guests for gracing the event.

Among other revelations made in the book, Chaudhry Shujaat mentioned the 2008 elections which, what he claims, were rigged in favour of Benazir Bhutto. She had been charged with coming to power with the US patronage.

The book also mentions that incidents where the Sharif family betrayed the Chaudhrys eight times to keep power within their family, particularly in 1997 when the late Mian Sharif visited him and promised make Pervaiz Elahi the chief minister of Punjab. However, the promise was never fulfilled and Shahbaz Sharif was made the chief executive of the province.

The book mentions the cause of rift between Pervez Musharraf and former chief justice Chaudhry Iftikhar and how Ch Shujaat had almost resolved the differences. But Musharraf was surrounded by those who didn’t allow this reconciliation to happen.

Veteran journalist and anchor Hamir Mir, while giving his comments on the book, said Chaudhry Shujaat has penned his history of Punjab and Balochistan in this wonderful autobiography. He mentioned that Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi, by challenging the Elected Bodies Disqualification Order (EBDO) of 1959 in the court, established it once and for all that no politician can be expelled from politics by disqualifying him or her.

Mir pointed out that recently popularised slogan of “Sanctity of Vote” had started in the times of Ch Zahoor Elahi, and had that been upheld and the vote had been respected, the country would not have reached this stage politically and economically.

He said the Sharif family tried to give him money, but Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi refused to take it and contested elections which he refused to take, saying that the Chaudhry Family believes in giving money for elections and people’s welfare, not taking it.

Hamid Mir recommended that Nawaz Sharif should read the book by Ch Shujaat before going ahead with such an arrangement. He also termed Ch Shujaat’s description of truth behind the killing of Akbar Bugti a daring action.

Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rashid said the day Nawaz Sharif spoke the truth, his politics will come to an end. Sh Rashid was referring to the National Reconciliation Ordinance, initiated by the former military chief and president Pervez Musharraf to bring back the Pakistan People’s Party leaders to the country in return for wiping off the corruption cases against them. He said everyone in Pakistan practises politics of power. He added that Nawaz had been trying to get a secret deal (NRO) to have all cases and investigations against him quashed, but he has failed so far.