Not afraid of death or jail, says Nawaz

ABBOTTABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday he was not scared of jail or death and would strive to change the destiny of the nation. "You (people) have to promise me (that you will be with me). We will march together towards our destination. 

Don’t sit at home, we will walk together and change Pakistan’s destiny," he told the cheering crowd, addressing a public gathering at the Abbottabad College Ground. Rejecting speculations about the minus-Nawaz formula, the former prime minister said, "They don't know that Nawaz is the name of an ideology. You are all part of this ideology. This ideology will bring about a revolutionary change in the country."

He said that no judicial verdict could break his relations with the masses. He recalled the public meeting he had addressed in Abbottabad in 2013 and said he could feel the same passion now.

Several party leaders and allies were present on the stage with the former prime minister. They included Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party head Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Adviser to Prime Minister Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan, Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Amir Muqam, Maryam Nawaz, Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar, Pervaiz Rasheed, Murtaza Javed Abbasi and Asif Kirmani. Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Farooq Haider and several federal ministers were also present on the occasion. The former prime minister has brought his review petition in the Panama Papers case to the people today. He told people, “You have to decide my appeal. Give a decision that may echo far and wide."

The disqualified prime minister termed the Panama Paper case as "Tamasha," saying a petition which was dismissed earlier was later accepted to drag him and his family in the courts. He then said, “‘WhatsApp Tamasha’ through which rare diamonds were sought and a joint investigation team (JIT) was formed."

Nawaz claimed that one day the JIT story would be uncovered before the world, adding that they toured the world but didn't find an iota of corruption against him. "And I was disqualified for not taking salary from my son," he went on to add.

However, he said he didn't delay implementing the court order and vacated the Prime Minister's Office immediately. "Can four or five people overturn the decision of 200 million people? You will have to support Nawaz Sharif," he said.

The people of Pakistan would decide his fate, he said and hastened to ask, "Did you bring General [Pervez Musharraf] to book?" Nawaz Sharif said that Mehmood Khan Achakzai was his ideological partner and a true Pakistani. The former prime minister said, "Nawaz Sharif will seek your support for the 2018 general election. We will make new promises and you know I always keep my word."

Referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government in KP, he said instead of ending corruption in 90 days, they have increased corruption. "You didn't produce a single kilowatt of electricity," said the PML-N chief. "They said we'll plant a billion trees but they pocketed billions of rupees," he added.

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds: The former prime minister said motorway from Haripur to Havelian will be completed shortly. "I may not be Prime Minister anymore, but the motorway will continue being built," he said.

"Nawaz Sharif is not a loser,” he said. The former Premier sough pledge from the people to support him. He claimed that not a single penny's worth of corruption had been proved against him or his family members. "When all efforts to do so were unsuccessful, the SC said that I did not take a salary from my son, so I was disqualified," he said.

About a verse (mujhay rahzanon se gila nahi, teri rahbari ka sawal he) quoted in a judgment against him Nawaz maintained that robber was honoured and no judge could pose question to him. He referred to the case of former President Pervez Musharraf and said no court could pose him even a question as judges took oath at his hands. Asking the public whether they accepted the decision "these five people" made for the people of Pakistan, he told the crowd that they would have to stand with him if they did not.

He railed against the apex court, which he claimed had no qualms about taking an oath from Musharraf. "That's why the caravan keeps getting looted," he said. "Lots of games like this have been played time and time again," he warned. "Everyone is awake and they will take account of each and everything," he said.

“If someone thinks I will be defeated, they are wrong,” the former Premier said. “I m not the one who is going to be defeated here.” He recalled, “Sit-ins were staged as soon as I assumed responsibilities as the Prime Minister.”

He said, “However; we continually worked on development projects.” He added the Panama Papers ‘drama’ was staged. “If I were a dictator, I would have been disintegrated from you and would have left you. I promise to never leave you and I hope that the people supporting me will continue to do so.” Nawaz Sharif said, “Four or five people cannot decide the fate of millions of people.” He was referring to the bench that decided against him in the Panama case. Nawaz began his address with a trademark declaration of love to his audience. "Nawaz Sharif really loves you too," he told the crowd.

The audience chanted slogans with raising their hands in favour of Nawaz Sharif. He said, “It is the people’s referendum that has thrown the court decision away regarding removing a Prime Minister through a stroke of pen.” Speaking on the occasion, Pukkhtun Khawah Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai warned that arm of whosoever may try to defy the constitution would be twisted.