Not afraid of fake references, says Khaqan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, the nominated interim prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has said that he is not afraid of fake references and accusers should do some soul searching. He said reservations are held even at the international level on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Panama case.

He said the decision had been implemented and his party was putting forth every effort for continuity of the democratic process in the country. He was addressing a news conference in Islamabad along with JUI-F Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday.

Abbasi said, “We have implemented the court decision despite our view that neither the people of Pakistan nor the international community has accepted it and even history will also not accept it.”

He said the party was taking all decisions, including formation of cabinet through consultation. Replying to a question, he said he has faith in the power of people and is not afraid of any fake references or allegations.

Abbasi challenged his critics to prove irregularities in his finances saying whoever wants to file a reference against him should feel free to do so. “I have disclosed all my assets and their details are publishedin the Pakistan Gazette. So those leveling baseless allegations [against me] should check their own acts first,” he maintained.

Responding to a question regarding whether Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would be included in the next cabinet or not, the interim PM nominee said that the decision had not been made yet. Chaudhry Nisar has always been a part of the PML-N and it will always be that way, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Fazlur Rehman said as coalition partners, his party stands by the PML-N in this testing hour.He said after the decision of the Supreme Court, the PML-N took the right decision in the best interest of the democratic process of the country. He said his party will support the PML-N so that the country’s journey towards progress and prosperity continues without any hurdle.

Rehman said he has called a meeting of his party for consultation and as a coalition partner it will apprise the PML-N of its opinion and decision.He said, “We all should work together to take the democratic process of the country in forward direction.”

He said his party was not supporting an individual or a party but the decision to support the PML-N was for the country’s sake.He said it was the coalition’s responsibility to be supportive and save Pakistan from external conspiracies. He added that the journey to development will continue regardless of the circumstances.