ISLAMABAD - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said the country does not have democracy but “worst kind of dictatorship under [Chief Justice Mian] Saqib Nisar”.

“Whatever is going on in the country is not less than a judicial martial law,” a visibly perturbed ex-PM told the media at an accountability court on his return from London on Monday.

Nawaz was in London to see his wife Kalsoom Nawaz, who is receiving cancer treatment there.

He said the restrictions, he was facing, were never imposed on him even during dictatorial regimes. He said that every move was being made tactfully to convict him.

“Punishment is being awarded to project five judges as these five judges want to avert embarrassment by announcing sentence to Nawaz Sharif,” he claimed, referring to the five-member SC bench that disqualified him as PM in the Panama Papers case last year.

Nawaz said he had been regularly appearing in the court where his name is called out like he is some criminal.

Criticising the top court judges for issuing frequent statements on political issues, he said, “They should also have to listen if they are so fond of making speeches and comments.”

Blasting a ban on ‘anti-judiciary’ speeches, he asked, “What objectives they can achieve by putting ban on freedom of expression for Nawaz Sharif?”

He continued, “This country does not belong to an individual. It belongs to 220 million people of Pakistan.”

Talking about the court decisions, he said incomprehensive decisions were being delivered and there was meddling in the affairs of state.

“Hospitals are being checked in routine and prices of vegetables are being monitored on a daily basis. They should also seek details if get plenty of time from hospitals’ visits, how many cases are pending in lowers courts for decades, he added.

“It took even 20 years in lower courts to have a verdict on minor cases. They should also visit the home of some victim longing for justice for 20 years. They have to focus on rape and illegal occupation cases on priority but these cases are not their concerns,” Nawaz said.

Addressing CJP Saqib Nisar, Nawaz said: “This is not your responsibility and duty to humiliate all the governments by asking them to stand before him (Nawaz).”

The former PM said: “The incumbent parliament is not as active and strong as it should have been, if a strong parliament comes next time, it will make everyone limited to their domains.

“Cases are being filed over widening a road by four feet. We have served this country and made it an atomic power.  We are completing CPEC.  We have restored peace in Karachi, defeated terrorism and eliminated extremism. Whoever played pivotal role for progress of the country, they are being tried in the courts,” the ex-PM maintained.

He claimed Imran Khan is even of the view that disqualification verdict is “not right and that he (Nawaz) was disqualified through a poor judgment”.

About alleged horse trading in senate elections, Nawaz seconded JI chief Sirajul Haq’s statement about dictating MPs to cast votes for Upper House Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.

“The statement of [JI chief] Sirajul Haq about senate elections was very meaningful. Haq stated it clearly that orders were passed to MPs for casting their votes.”

He also slammed PTI chief Imran Khan for what he called doing politics “without principles”.

“Will Imran Khan reveal to public, how Chaudhry Sarwar get votes in senate poll?” he questioned.

He defended the right to protest of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement supporters.

Earlier, NAB Operations DG Zahir Shah that appeared in the court and recorded his statement.

NAB had found some new documents in London flats reference and some documents have also been received through UK high commission, the court was told. Official registered copies regarding London flats were also presented. Zahir Shah also provide water bill of London flats.

On this, Khawaja Harris questioned if Shah personally visited the investigation officer after receiving these documents.

Shah replied: “I did not visit the investigation officer and asked him on phone to come to my office.”

After receiving documents, the investigation officer completed a list but did not take his signs over it.

Shah also stated original documents were in his custody and provided only copies to the investigation officer.  Shah also stated that MLAs were sent to British central authority on 27th May 2017 and 31st October 2017 respectively. These letters are included Volume 10 of JIT report. Volume 10 of JIT was got within one month after 28th July verdict of Supreme Court.

Volume 10 of JIT report was got by filing a formal application on the apex court, said Shah.

The photo copies of relevant parts of Volume 10 were handed over to investigation officer.

According to dawn.com, the hearing of the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference could not be held today due to an apparent confusion about recording the testimony of Wajid Zia, the head of the SC-sanctioned joint investigation team. The hearing of the case was adjourned until Tuesday, and Sharif and his daughter Maryam were allowed to leave by the court.

 

 

Nawaz denounces

‘worst kind of dictatorship’

NOKHAIZ SAHI