Nawaz Sharif talks about ‘minus-Nawaz’ formula

Deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be appearing before court on November 3 for his graft hearing regarding Al-Azizia Steel Mills, Hill Metal Establishment and the Avenfield flats references. Addressing media in London, Sharif said that he did not get a fair trial in the Panama Papers case.  He said, "If this was a fair trial, then I would not have been disqualified on an Iqama instead of Panama [papers]."

Speaking about the rumors of a rift within the party, Sharif said that there was no divide in the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) and declared that there was no 'minus-Nawaz' formula in play. “Nation has the say on the decisions surrounding minus and plus formulas, individuals cannot take such decisions on their own”.

Punjab law minister and Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah also said in an interview, “We will not accept the minus-Nawaz formula; this was firmly our stance and shall remain to be so,” local media reported.

Sharif is expected to fly for Pakistan today. He will reach Islamabad via Pakistan International Airlines flight on Thursday.

The Accountability Court had issued bailable arrest warrants against Sharif for his failure to present himself before court on October 26 and had adjourned the hearing to November 3. Sharif had been in Saudi Arabia at that time and had not appeared for the trial and had then flown directly to London to be with his sons and ailing wife Kulsoom.

The court had indicted Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar on October 19 against the Avenfield flats, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).