Will change NAB law, judges’ appointment procedure: Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif Monday said his party would change the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law and procedure to appoint and dismiss judges if it comes to power after adjudication of cases against him.

Talking to reporters at the Accountability Court, Nawaz Sharif said he had talked to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi about rendering the NAB law ineffective, but later, he deferred the matter till adjudication of corruption cases against him. Nawaz said there must not be an impression that it has been done to favour him.

The former prime minister said the attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal is utterly regrettable and a grave offence not only for the PML-N, but for the whole country. He said the distributing Rs1,000 each among the sit-in participants result into dangerous consequences. He was referring to the recent sit-in of Tehreek-e-Labbaik at Faizabad. “Had that money not distributed, this would not have happened,” Nawaz said.

“I want to know and in fact the whole nation wants to know that for what reason the money was distributed. What were the motives behind distribution of that money? One day all facts would come to surface,” he said, adding that it was better if matters are resolved at this stage.

Nawaz said that attack on the interior minister was not a minor issue. “When they will distribute money, this is what happens and one must reach to the conclusion that why such an environment and mindset is prevailing in Pakistan. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had retrieved security from important persons and now the apex court should also take notice of the situation,” Nawaz said.

He also referred to the questions raised by Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court and Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) when they were hearing Faizabad dharna case. Nawaz said the questions raised by the two judges are yet to be answered.

“This is a country of 220 million people who are real owners. Now enough is enough. Treating people like serfs should be stopped as has been done for the last 70 years, and there should be a struggle for better future,” he said.

To a question that the PTI chief Imran Khan had alleged that Army helped the PML-N win the 2013 elections, Nawaz said the whole nation knows about Imran and about whom (institution) he issued this statement.

He said the institutions should also question Imran about his allegations. He said Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar should also take notice of Imran Khan’s allegations. He said the chief justice has taken many suo motu notices, and he should also take notice of Imran’s statement.