News Analysis |
Pakistan Muslim League leader and former Federal Minister Mr. Pervaiz Rasheed dismissed rumors of an alleged deal between Mr. Nawaz Sharif and the government allowing the party leader to get out of prison and travel abroad. Mr. Rasheed argued that his leader is a ‘dignified’ person who has a ‘clean’ political career. “Political opponents even denied the existence of the hospital where Begum Kulsoom Nawaz breathed her last. They also said Nawaz wouldn’t return to Pakistan.
But Nawaz did return, he and his daughter both went to prison. If Nawaz had to cut some deal, he would not have gone to prison with his daughter in the first place,” former federal minister said while speaking on a private TV channel. Mr. Rasheed repeatedly denied any approach or effort being done by his party to have an NRO or deal which might help Sharif family getaway of the ongoing accountability cases.
A disqualification of 10 years from holding any public office is part of the sentences awarded to the former PM and will come into effect following his release from jail after serving the seven-year sentence.
He maintained that the government was not doing the right things about the health conditions of Mr. Sharif since Maryam, former PM’s daughter, only gets information from media. ‘Sharif family should be taken into confidence,’ he added.
But at the same time, he also suggested that the party members wished Mr. Sharif would be allowed to consult his doctor in London, who carried out his heart surgery and is aware of his condition better than the other doctors in Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif Sent to Jail
It is worth mentioning here that Nawaz Sharif was sent to jail by an accountability court last year after he was found guilty of corrupt practices in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.
Read more: Punjab CM allows shifting Nawaz Sharif to the hospital
The court also imposed a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million on Mr. Sharif — a total of Rs5bn. A disqualification of 10 years from holding any public office is part of the sentences awarded to the former PM and will come into effect following his release from jail after serving the seven-year sentence.
In September 2017, a probe against Mr. Sharif was launched. He was first convicted and sentenced for 10 years in July last year in a case related to Avenfield properties in London. The Islamabad High Court granted him bail in the case in September. He was later convicted in the Al-Azizia case in December 2018.
Mr. Rasheed’s insistence that former PM should be sent to London for his proper treatment also suggests that there is a dialogue going on between the government and opposition.
Mr.Sharif and his party always reject his convictions and maintain everything being done to punish the Sharif family is nothing more than political victimization by the incumbent government and establishment.
Deal Underway?
It is important to note that earlier some analysts and experts suggested that the former PM and government had reached a deal whereby Mr. Sharif and his daughter will leave the country and remain in self-imposed exile… Jan Achakzi, a prominent analyst, tweeted some days ago that “Some BREAKING NEWS: 1) #Nawaz Sharif has almost got a DEAL. He will sign a contract to go into self-exile on a pretext of treatment. 2) #Maryam Nawaz will take over. 3) #Shahbaz Sharif will also get NRO & leave Pakistan 4) Both will enjoy the looted money in retirement life.”
Some BREAKING NEWS:
1) #Nawaz Sharif has almost got a DEAL. He will sign a contract to go into self exile on pretext of treatment.
2) #Maryam Nawaz will take over.
3) #Shahbaz Sharif will also get NRO & leave Pakistan
4) Both will enjoy the looted money in retirement life
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) January 24, 2019
Mr. Rasheed’s insistence that former PM should be sent to London for his proper treatment also suggests that there is a dialogue going on between the government and opposition.
Read more: Analysts claim Nawaz Sharif has gotten an NRO
PTI government has also rejected the reports claiming a deal has been signed between the incumbent government and former PM. Ali Muhammad Khan, the PTI lawmaker, categorically rejected such allegations and reminded the nation that it was PM Imran Khan’s promise that he’ll never compromise on the rule of law then how can he let those who looted the nation’s wealth freely? It is yet to be seen in the coming days whether Mr. Sharif will be allowed to go to London for his treatment or not.