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Nabeel Gabol, a senior leader of PPP has claimed that “it is clear and loud that PTI government is a part of Nawaz’s deal”. “But, this deal actually is a political trap set by PTI’s mentor, which Nawaz Sharif has already denied accepting. Because if he pays the amount set ($2 to 5 billion) it would prove that he is corrupt and he is returning the money he made from corruption.”
https://youtu.be/VpOiiEM9bPU
Nabil Gabol made these comments while speaking to Dr. Moeed Pirzada on his prime-time show “Live with Moeed Pirzada” at GNN Television on Monday (February 4, 2019). He also said that it is a business transaction as usual on the part of NAB. “Deals are made when they find someone guilty, to find middle way approach between government and the convict”. However, he said, NAB has failed to acquire concrete evidence against Nawaz Sharif, therefore, there are more chances of him getting bail.
Senator Waleed Iqbal, who was also participating in the discussion, categorically rejected the claim that government is part of Nawaz’s deal. “Prime Minister Imran Khan which I observe in different meetings has been clear in his mind that no deal is to be made with Nawaz Sharif”.
In 1985, Nawaz Sharif was set up as CM Punjab by the military establishment from nowhere to prop up an alternative leadership against Benazir Bhutto and was re-elected for the same post (CM Punjab) after the end of the Zia martial law in 1988.
Rana Afzal Khan, PML-N Leader, argued that deal-making is a common culture in Pakistan’s history. “Throughout Pakistan’s political history, both judiciary and politicians have made deals to survive politically tense moments. Based on the assumption that deal-making is the part of the strategy in Pakistan’s politics where judiciary, military, and politician are all parties to it; then the notion that Nawaz Sharif had or is making deals to live to fight another day should be appreciated as well”. He further claimed that Nawaz being in jail can create political pressure, therefore, elites are trying to set a trap and send him out of the country”, he said. “This way they can be able to run the government smoothly without any intense opposition pressure”.
Earlier, Sheikh Rashid, Federal Minister for Railways at a press conference at Railways Headquarters on Saturday (3rd February) asked PTI if there was any deal going to happen with Nawaz Sharif and the nation must be taken into consideration.
Read more: Analysts claim Nawaz Sharif has gotten an NRO
Sheikh Rashid said, “Today, I am making a big disclosure. I also hope that PM Imran Khan will not mind it. There are reports that these two parties — PML-N and PPP — are paying money for striking a deal with the government. If it is true, please take the nation into confidence,” a local publication reported. With Sheikh Rashid’s speech, two points of view emerge for the political elite and media to scrutinize: one advocate deal making a permanent behavior in Nawaz Sharif’s political career, while in contrast, other believe that former PM has serious health issues.
Nawaz Sharif currently is facing serious health issues i.e. heart and kidney problems. In 2001, and 2011 Nawaz Sharif went through angioplasty and open heart surgery respectively. Similarly, in 2016 he once again went through angioplasty and open heart surgery in London, post-Panama leaks.
In 2007 with Saudi pressure, a deal put an end to Nawaz Sharif’s long exile and the former premier came back to Pakistan. Similarly, re-opening of Nawaz’s cases in 2009 by Iftikhar Chaudhry also involved deal making.
Chronologically speaking, the then PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had nationalized Nawaz’s Ittefaq Foundry in January 1972– which was named as Lahore Engineering and Foundry Ltd (LEFO). In 1978, a deal was reached with General Zia ul Haq which returned Nawaz’s family the Ittefaq foundry and in 1983 appointed him as a finance minister in the Punjab cabinet with similar fashion which was through a deal with General Jilani.
In 1985, Nawaz Sharif was set up as CM Punjab by the military establishment from nowhere to prop up an alternative leadership against Benazir Bhutto and was re-elected for the same post (CM Punjab) after the end of the Zia martial law in 1988. In 1990s Nawaz Sharif was elected twice as a Prime Minister of Pakistan but, the deals turned as a bad omen for him.
Read more: Will PTI offer NRO to the opposition?
In 2000, President Clinton and Saudi’s authorities concluded a deal with General Musharraf to send Nawaz Sharif on exile to Saudi Arabia. Yet, through another deal, Nawaz Sharif got his passport which was reached in 2005-06 and he went to England to inquire about his sons’ health. In 2007 with Saudi pressure, a deal put an end to Nawaz Sharif’s long exile and the former premier came back to Pakistan. Similarly, re-opening of Nawaz’s cases in 2009 by Iftikhar Chaudhry also involved deal making.