LONDON -  Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, reacting to Imran Khan and Jahangir Tareen’s case verdict, said on Saturday that dual standards of law will not be accepted and the decision “speaks for itself”.

“The decision speaks for itself,” said the former prime minister while addressing media in London. “Everything we have said about double standards is being proven right,” he added, reported private TV channels.

Nawaz further said that such dual standards will not be tolerated and he would run a strong campaign against it. “My struggle is for the supremacy of law and constitution and I will pay whatever price it takes but won’t let things continue the way they are at present.”

Referring to the Panama Papers verdict which led to his disqualification from the office of prime minister, Nawaz said “My imaginary salary was considered an asset, but transactions worth thousands of pounds conducted through Niazi Services, which Imran Khan has confessed to, are not being considered as assets”.

“The [Supreme Court] bench gave an explanation on Imran’s behalf,” added Nawaz. “Imran petitioned against me and sat back while the bench fought the case on Imran’s behalf, however, when we petitioned against Imran, the bench became Imran’s advocate,” claimed the PML-N chief.

Expressing his dissatisfaction at the Panama Papers verdict which disqualified him from holding public office, Nawaz said that a sitting prime minister was disqualified on the basis of an iqama, but an individual who has confessed [to his wrongdoings] has been let off the hook.

“This deal won’t be accepted in Pakistan,” he said. “Around two weeks back, I had said that Nawaz will be disqualified yet again in the verdict of the reference against Imran and Tareen, and that is exactly what has happened.”

The former prime minister had departed for London on December 4 after being exempted from appearing before the court to attend to his ailing wife Begum Kalsoom Nawaz.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz shared a few tweets in Urdu targeting PTI chief Imran Khan. One tweet read: “Imran Khan had admitted to corruption and also changed his statements a few times. He [Imran] misled the court but the judges were adamant that Khan was innocent.” Another tweet shared by Maryam said: “Justice speaks for itself. It does not need to be justified through public speeches and issuing additional notes.”

APS attack was a turning point: Nawaz

Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Saturday that the sacrifices laid down by the students of Army Public School (APS) Peshawar were instrumental in uniting the country in the war against terrorism and enabled the security forces to take a decisive action against militant outfits in the country.

The former prime minister issued this statement on the third anniversary of APS Peshawar attack by members of a militant outfit, saying that the grief of the families of martyrs was being felt by the entire nation. He said that the nation would forever stand with the parents of the students who met an untimely fate on December 16, 2014.

NAWAZ, MARYAM LAND IN LAHORE TODAY

Staff Reporter from Lahore adds: Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz will arrive in the city from London on Sunday (today) morning. They will fly to Pakistan through PIA flight PK-758 from London and land in the city at 8am.

Both had departed for London on December 5 after an accountability court granted them exemption from appearing in references against them, which expired on December 12 and December 15 with respect to Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. Earlier, both were due to come back on Sunday last but they delayed their programme in view of the medical tests of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz who is under treatment for her cancer disease in London.

Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, on his way back from Istanbul, is also in London on a private visit. He was due to return today but has extended his stay for two days, say media reports.

The accountability court is scheduled to resume hearing of the references on December 19 when Nawaz Sharif and Maryam along with Cap (r) Muhammad Safdar will also appear

 

Monitoring Desk