Incomplete accountability todisappoint masses, says Siraj

LAHORE: JI ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has said supremacy of law must be ensured and situation of clash between state institutions must be avoided. 

Addressing the JI’s planning committee at Mansoora on Monday, he said the ruling party had not accepted the Supreme Court judgment in Panama case by heart. Former prime minister, new premier and his cabinet still had misgivings and wanted to mislead the masses as well. He said Nawaz Sharif was creating problems for the government in his bid to gain public sympathy. Sirajul Haq said unless and until the accountability network was expanded to cover around 436 persons listed in the Panama leaks, Nawaz Sharif and the new federal cabinet would have the opportunity to create doubts in public mind. Therefore, he said, it was imperative to carry the Panama leaks issue to its logical end. The cases of mega corruption of the past and the present governments should be opened and those plundering public wealth be hauled up. He said an incomplete accountability process would disappoint the masses and the efforts to wipe out corruption would have a setback.

JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch said Nawaz Sharif’s challenge to the state institutions after his disqualification on corruption charges through a unanimous verdict of the Supreme Court amounted to pushing the government of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the democratic system to a blind alley.

He demanded the former premier abandon vindictive attitude and accept supremacy of law. He said Nawaz Sharif was yet to face references before the NAB for amassing wealth through unknown means but he was using the crutches and the resources of the federal and the Punjab government.

He welcomed Army Chief Gen Bajwa’s statement that the supremacy of law would be fully safeguarded. He said the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law alone could guarantee unity and harmony among the provinces. He urged the army chief to take notice of former dictator Pervez Musharraf’s statement otherwise bitterness on the political front would intensify. He stressed the parliament, the democratic forces and the state institutions to remain within their limits.