Islamabad - Former Speaker National Assembly and senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has warned that another rigging in next general elections will put country into 1971-like situation — a particular reference to Dhaka Fall in 1971.

The former speaker expressed these views when he was asked if PML-N was ready to spend another five-year term in opposition in case of defeat in next general elections even if by rigging as alleged by the party in 2018. In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said nobody knew who will form the government but one thing was quite clear that country could not afford another rigged election and if it happened it will put Pakistan into 1971-like crisis.

To substantiate his claim, he said the environment in Balochistan and KP was not conducive and simple and if elections are rigged again it would be an unfair treatment with the country. “We never demand power but we always demanded free and fair elections,” Ayaz Sadiq added. He said everybody knew very well that public was with PML-N and it was evident by the massive success of PML-N in recent cantonment board elections. “Let them (PTI) go into elections, they will see how people will treat them, who are suffering due to present inflation and poverty”, he added. 

Assuming power at this stage means rescuing Imran Khan, who ruined the country due to his poor polices

Discussing about party’s strategy of going into next general elections in case Maryam Nawaz Sharif is disqualified and self-exile of Nawaz Sharif remains intact, he said he was seeing light at the end of the tunnel and hopped that situation will change in coming days.

“There is some responsibility on judiciary after recent audio leak and an affidavit submitted by Judge Rana Shamim”, he said, adding: “Judiciary will have to stand up and dispense justice.”

When questioned that will PML-N produce the leaked audio and the affidavit in court to get some relief, he said it will be decided by the legal team.

He, however, urged the judiciary to come forward and take notice of the whole episode. When asked if Maryam Nawaz will be given any space in present political scenario by the establishment, he avoided to make any direct comments.

“The institutions will have to restore country and their own image by doing right things”, he said. To a question regarding PML-N’s reluctance to move no-confidence motion or in house change, Sardar Ayaz said, “It is our democratic right and we will do it whenever feels appropriate.” He, however, made it clear that PML-N will not let Imran Khan become a ‘political martyr’ at a time when over a year was left behind.

“Assuming power at this stage means rescuing Imran Khan, who ruined the country due to his poor polices”, he maintained.   Replying to a most repeatedly asked question regarding possible future leadership of PML-N among Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, he simply said the leadership was with Nawaz Sharif alone.

As he remained speaker National Assembly for five years, when asked to compare his tenure with incumbent Speaker Asad Qasir, he said it was not appropriate for him to comment on Asad Qaiser or his performance as it was an open secret. He said all recent amendments were illegal as nobody was allowed to speak on it while the opposition’s right of recount was also denied and the bills were passed in hurry.

Meanwhile, replying to a question about his journey with both Imran Khan and Nawaz Shairf, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said: “I left Imran Khan in 1998 as I understood the things much before that people are now understanding.” He said he had parted ways with incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan because of his arrogant and rude behaviour. The way of dealing with party leaders and workers of Imran Khan was quite different than Mian Nawaz Sharif as the latter was a down to earth man and he spokek gently and politely with everyone even with my driver.

“I joined Nawaz Sharif in early 2000s and this relationship will last for life Inshallah as one do politics for respect and he (Nawaz Sharif) knows how to give respect”, he maintained. About future of Nawaz Sharif in Pakistani politics, he categorically declared it ‘very bright’.