ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif are issuing political statements contemptuous to court in connection with the conviction case of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and casting doubts in legal process.
“I appeal to Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of statements of Sharif brothers and others and issue proper orders to stop them from giving contemptuous statements to end the controversy in greater interest of the nation,” he told media persons after chairing a meeting held here to review security situation in the country.
He said that the matter relating to the Prime Minister was still under judicial process till the decision of final appeal, so assuming the role of a bailiff or implementer by the Sharif brothers, should cease to exist.
Rehman Malik said that Nawaz and Shahbaz should behave like politicians and should not assume the role of judges, adding that “You (Nawaz and Shahbaz) are raising voice against the Chief Executive of the country and you are talking about his disqualification but I ask you, are you a judge or politician?”
He said that Nawaz and Shahbaz were meddling into the court process and trying to create division amongst the masses which detrimental to the national interest. Rehman Malik further said that both the brothers needed to wait until appeal was submitted and a final decision of the court is announced.
“This is an international and local law that the accused is given right of appeal, hence, PM Gilani has the right to avail all legal available remedies without any interference. The Islamabad High Court has also given a direction that the PM could not be stopped from working until he avails all legal remedies,” the minister said while replying to a question.
“I also appeal to Chief Justice to allow me to be heard in Mehran Bank scandal where I would like to assist the court so that the truth in the Mehrangate case comes forward to the nation,” he said. Rehman Malik said that he would not let Nawaz run away in the Mehran Bank scandal, as he would become a party in the case. He said that Nawaz was raising hue and cry and creating issues but he would not be allowed to run rather he should concentrate on bringing back the precious money to Pakistan he sent aboard through laundering. Otherwise the money would be brought back through Interpol, he added.
He reminded Nawaz that he was exonerated in the cases framed against him during General Pervez Musharraf era through the courts under the same laws of the land. He said that the loadshedding protests led by Shahbaz Sharif and burning of offices under his supervision was pathetic and an eyeopener for the public as to what level Sharifs could go to settle their personal enmities where they did not mind using state machinery and state resources.
Answering a question, the Interior Minister said that there were long details of money laundering they committed, adding that soon he would expose their further corruption in a detailed press conference soon.