Remove one Sharif, we will bring second, third, fourth: PML-N

LAHORE: PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday said although one Sharif had been removed, they would bring the second, third and fourth Sharif to replace him.

He said Nawaz Sharif was disqualified because the courts declared that he was not honest and truthful. “Is everyone else in this country honest and truthful? Are the judges who took an oath under PCO [Provisional Constitution Order] honest [Ameen] and truthful [Sadiq]? Were the military dictators honest and truthful as well?” the former federal minister asked.

“Now that a precedent has been set, everyone will be questioned,” he warned and added that playing the game of Sadiq and Ameen would have far-reaching consequences.Addressing a press conference, Saad admitted that not amending the articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution was mistake of the ruling party, but added that the government didn’t take the decision out of the fear that the opposition would accuse them of trying to cover up corruption.

He said they did not stand for hereditary politics but the second, third and fourth Sharif would come forward if politics was not allowed to move forward. He said Article 62 and 63 turned out to be 58 2(b) of the Constitution, which had been removed. “We did not know it will bite back at them like 58 2(b),” he lamented.

Commenting on the Supreme Court’s verdict, he said the decision was unacceptable to the party yet the members had acted upon it. Saad called for an investigation into the comments made by PTI chairman Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid, saying they had maligned the honourable judges.

“Sheikh Rashid claimed that we [PML-N] offered billions of rupees to the honourable judges,” he said, addressing a press conference. “Did anyone question his claims when and where this money was offered and how he came to know about that,” Saad questioned.

He added that Imran, during a TV programme, that a judge had requested him to cancel the sit-in the PTI was planning to hold on November 2, 2016 and come to court instead. “This is a serious statement and it must be investigated,” Saad maintained.

Criticising the PTI chief, he said Imran did not have any new faces. “All the looters and notorious people are flanking you, (Imran),” Saad remarked. Similarly, newly-elected PML-N Senator Asif Kirmani said the foreign funding case would bury the politics of Imran. Talking to media persons, he said the nation was anxiously waiting for the decision on the financial corruption case against “Imran and company”.  

He said Nawaz and masses couldn’t be separated, adding that the former prime minister would soon be among the masses by their support and cooperation.