ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday said that consultation process for reaching to a consensus nominee to lead a caretaker government in the run up to general election would be finalized within two of days.
He said, he along with Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah were discussing the names of six nominees, three each suggested by them.
During a TV talks show aired by Aaj TV, the prime minister, however, ruled out any final decision on the nominees.
He said they were trying to reach to a consensus nominee.
“Anyone can be the nominee. A person will be preferred who is uncontroversial marked with integrity and enjoying good repute. He should be able to ensure free and fair elections. Within a couple of days final decision would be made in this regard.”
The prime minister to another question said if there was lack of consensus, the matter would go to the committee of parliamentary parties, which would decide it. The last forum for deciding the issue would be the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
He also emphatically ruled out any delay in holding of polls. “Technocrats cannot run affairs of the government,” he added.
The prime minister said the names proposed by both sides included personalities of good repute, however, a final decision could be reached within a couple of days.
To a question about summoning of National Accountability Bureau chairman by a National Assembly committee, he said the chairman should have appeared before it, otherwise, it would not bode well for democracy.
The prime minister strongly rejected interference in the upcoming general elections and said Nawaz Sharif’s statement over the issue was misreported and distorted.
He said during the general elections, different analogies were being coined by different political parties.
“Elections would be held in the last week of July and there is no possibility of any delay in holding of the polls,” he added.
About desertion in the PML-N, the prime minister said it was a common spectacle prior to elections that specific groups left their parties.
He said the political career of those elements, who had left the party, should be evaluated. Among 182-member of parliament hardly a dozen left the ranks of PML-N.
Switching of parties by elements could raise eyebrows, but the PML-N had a long queue of aspiring candidates, he added.
The prime minister did not see interference in the upcoming polls, however, he warned that it would not be good for the democratic system if any meddling was made.
About one of Nawaz Sharif’s recent interviews, he said it was misreported. Whatever he said nobody could read it in its real aspect, the prime minister added.
“India distorted it for its objectives and created a wrong impression and unfortunately, our media also misreported,” he said.
Prime Minister Abbasi said the issue was discussed in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting. Nawaz Sharif never said that people from Pakistan crossed into India to attack Mumbai.
“A wrong impression was created which was neither correct, nor good for the national interests and politics,” he said and insisted that the issue should end now.
In reply to another query, he said the NSC meetings were always held for consultations.
The prime minister also dispelled the impression that there were any differences between him and Nawaz Sharif. During last few days, he held regular meetings with the PML-N supreme leader to discuss a host of issues. “We are on one page. It is only the PML-N where such democratic norms exist,” he maintained.
The prime minister to a query expressed his confidence that the PML-N would win the general elections and after the polls results, formation of the new government would be made.
He said the people who left the party had never raised their concerns during party meetings.
About the role of Maryam Nawaz, he said she had her own narrative and active in the party politics, but she never directed anyone in the government.
The prime minister also reiterated that the NAB court would not do justice with Nawaz Sharif. Regular hearings were conducted in the case whereas in Dr Asim’s case only three hearings were held, he added.
He said under the supervision of the Supreme Court, there should be no injustice and equal treatment should be accorded to all.
“A person (Nawaz Sharif) not having any role in these cases was put to trial. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done,” he added.
He questioned whether under the SC’s direction a NAB reference could be filed. No one accepted the persecution, cases and the trial, he maintained.
He said he knew Nawaz Sharif, who often played on the front foot, would go to jail but would not strike a deal like NRO.
The prime minister also regretted that they should have abolished the NAB ordinance, terming it as black laws which were framed to interfere in the politics.
He said the NAB chairman should have provided evidences prior to leveling of allegations against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for laundering of 4.9 billion dollar and expressed his wonder that the amount was higher than the federal government’s expenditures.
The prime minister said there was no complainant in the case, so no one had the right to directly accuse Nawaz Sharif.
He also enumerated the major achievements of PML-N government during the last five years stretching from energy and power sectors to construction of huge network of motorways and China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He declared that 90 per cent homes in the country were now load-shedding free.
