LAHORE: Slamming the arrest of Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Mian Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday announced countrywide protests besides requisitioning the sessions of Senate and National Assembly to raise voice against unconstitutional and undemocratic act of the federal government.
Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference at the PML-N Secretariat, party secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said: "Today is black day for democracy in the country and a conspiracy is being hatched for one-party rule in the country."
Maryam Nawaz said on the occasion that the PML-N is united and the options of en bloc resignations and long march may be considered by the party.
"We would implement decisions taken in the APC in letter and spirit," she said. "Everybody knows that Shehbaz Sharif's sin is that he remained committed with the party as well as Nawaz Sharif."
She also said that Shehbaz Sharif had last week made it clear that even if he was arrested, the speech made by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif at the opposition's September 20 multi-party conference and the MPC statement and action plan would be followed 100 percent. "Everyone within the PML-N is Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif."
Referring to offshore business of family of Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa (retd), Maryam said: "If there is even a semblance of law and justice, instead of Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Bajwa should have been arrested."
Maryam said, "Bajwa is a salaried person and for him becoming a billionaire is an accountable allegation. The NAB used to say that it doesn't see the face, it sees the case; can't it see the face of Asim Bajwa."
Why the NAB allegedly did not move against Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project or its buses catching fire, the Billion Tree Tsunami programme, regularisation of Imran Khan's Bani Gala house, corruption of ministers and the departure of Jahangir Tareen, she wondered.
"When Asim Saleem Bajwa's assets came forward and his wife being a housewife, did the NAB not see the case? Did Imran Khan not see the case? Does no one see their children and their assets? So what kind of justice is this?" she questioned.
"Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has been sent a notice, Shehbaz Sharif has been arrested, but does anyone have the courage to send a notice to Asim Bajwa," she asked.
Maryam claimed that media was blackmailed for not running the news regarding assets of Bajwa's family but later it was asked to run the clarification issued by him.
"Nothing can make more controversial than using them and blackmailing judges," she said. "She would continue to raise voice for free media and independent judiciary."
About the PML-N supremo, Maryam said that Nawaz Sharif is facing health issues and requires surgery but he would continue to play his role for the country. Criticising Imran Khan, she said Imran Khan lacks vision and defaming the institutions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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