ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said he wanted that constitution, law and vote of people should be respected in Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters outside the accountability court here, he said everybody enjoyed equal rights in Pakistan. Peaceful protest was right of everybody and nobody could be stopped from expressing his views, he said. People cannot be deprived of their due constitutional rights, he said, adding the world is changing and Pakistan also has to change and avoid old mistakes.
He said PML-N will win despite all the hurdles created in its way. “We should move forward while showing tolerance. We are showing tolerance in the interest of the country,” he said, adding that everybody should try to save the country from chaos.
Referring to the Lahore High Court’s Monday verdict banning ‘anti-judiciary’ speeches by Nawaz and others, the former premier said the court should make clear what ‘anti-judiciary’ means. “We cannot restrict someone from speaking. Uncivilised restrictions cannot be placed in the country,” he said.
Nawaz said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is inquiring into the widening of Raiwind Road which leads to his residence. “In 1990, we started the motorway and there should be a case on it too and one over the atomic tests as well,” he mocked. “I see a widespread discord if the people’s aspirations are not adhered to,” he said further.
Referring to recent wave of defections within the party, the PML-N supremo said those who left us were never ours.
Talking about the government’s plan to merge the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nawaz said the tribes people should get their rights.
Maryam Nawaz said the vote bank of PML-N was intact. “Our vote bank is not going with people who are leaving the party,” she said.
Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt (r) Safdar appeared in court for hearing of the Avenfield reference. Nawaz and Maryam were unable to appear a day earlier owing to inclement weather.
Published in Daily Times, April 18th 2018.
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