ISLAMABAD -  Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Thursday came down hard on the judiciary over its “inaction” against former president Pervez Musharraf.

Talking to journalists after appearing before the Accountability Court in Islamabad regarding hearing of NAB references against her, she claimed that discrimination was being meted out to her father while Musharraf was given a safe exit.

She said that no one has the courage to punish the former president who left the county on the pretext of a backache. Maryam said that arrest warrants were issued for Musharraf and he was declared absconder but no one has the courage to arrest him. 

She continued her indirect tirade against the former army chief saying that others were protected in the hospital [after skipping courts] and then ensured their safe exit. “No court has summoned him for playing with the country’s Constitution and laws,” she said and added that dharnas [sit-ins] were orchestrated.

She questioned if the entire speediness of the law was only for Nawaz Sharif. Maryam said that proofs against the Sharif family were not being searched rather the same were being prepared. She said that the NAB team visited London but could not found any evidence against them.

“Nawaz Sharif was disqualified before trial; obviously questions will be raised over such proceedings,” said Maryam. 

About a question regarding the VIP accountability of the Sharif family, she said in her indirect reference to Musharraf that the VIP accountability was that when the vehicle of the accused turned around halfway on the way to court, he landed in a hospital. “We are appearing before the court despite my mother’s ill health as well as my father’s questionable disqualification, so how could this be termed the VIP accountability,” she said.

Maryam said that those who were talking about democracy were being called as ‘traitors’.  The former premier’s daughter lamented that their complaints of injustice were taken as contempt of court and their talk of strengthening democracy was misconstrued as treason. 

Maryam was of the view that every democratic government, no matter how weak, should complete its term. “This is how democracy will be strengthened in the country,” she added.

She clarified that reports of differences within the Sharif family were only flashing in the media and they have no significance even if someone has said something.

In reply to a question, she said that her brothers Hasan and Hussain Nawaz, who have been declared proclaimed offenders in the case due to their continuous non-appearance, will themselves answer the accusations against them.

Replying to another question, Maryam said that she was handling the media for Nawaz when he was prime minister. “I did not have any media cell. I know well who is unleashing this propaganda campaign,” she said.