A spokesperson for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has contradicted a news report that Sharif is negotiating any deal with Saudi Arabia to avoid accountability. Terming the story 'unfounded', the spokesperson said that Nawaz Sharif is visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to his longstanding relations with the Saudi Royal family as well as the head of the ruling party.
He has always utilised these relations for the national interest and never for his personal benefits, said the spokesperson. Despite the fact that Sharif believed that he is innocent, he promptly resigned after a decision of the Court. Sharif is confident that he will come out clean, the spokesperson emphasised. There is no ban on the movement of Nawaz Sharif and, therefore, the question of seeking any permission does not arise. Similarly, there is no truth in the rumours of rift within in his family, the spokesperson affirmed.
Similarly, the spokesperson expressed disappointment and surprise that the story was published/broadcasted in violation of established norms and ethics without taking the version of all concerned .Media organisations are advised to approach the spokesperson before filing a story in future.
Meanwhile, Ousted premier Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, has rubbished the rumours of her father's self-exile and said the news is just 'a self-created lie'. In her tweet, Maryam stated that exile will be the fate of military dictators and non-democratic characters, not of representatives elected by people. Senator Pervez Rasheed stated that many political forces are worried by Nawaz's popularity, and such analysis cannot minus him from Pakistan politics. He termed the news a personal wish of someone instead of reality.