Nawaz Sharif to face law upon return: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will face the law upon return to the country.

Speaking during Geo News’ programme “Jirga”, the PM said that the three-time former prime minister — who has been living in London since 2019 in self-imposed exile — will arrive homeland in the next few weeks.

Responding to a question, PM Shehbaz termed the May 9 riots triggered by the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a graft case a conspiracy against Pakistan.

Calling the PTI chairman its “mastermind”, the premier said that the riots were aimed at toppling the military leadership and initiating a civil war in the country. The PM clarified that he was making the revelations on the basis of information.

Khan, ousted via a no-trust move in April last year, was arrested in a graft case, triggering violent protests, during which his party’s supporters ransacked public and military properties.

The premier said other than PTI workers, a group of politicians, some military men and their families were involved in the events of May 9, dubbed “Black Day” by the military.

“Those involved in the May 9 incidents wanted to overthrow the military leadership,” the prime minister said.

“Being a prime minister, I am saying this on the basis of 100 per cent evidence that the May 9 conspiracy was aimed at overthrowing the army chief,” he said. “On that day, there was a plan to create anarchy and civil war in the country,” he added.

To another query, the premier said his government steered the country out of the default risk and restored the lost dignity of the country during the past 15 months.

Ishaq Dar as caretaker PM ruled out

Amid widespread speculations, Prime Minister ruled out the appointment of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar as the caretaker prime minister, saying a neutral person would be selected to lead the interim set-up to make upcoming general elections transparent.

“A neutral person should be appointed to this position so that no one could question the elections’ results,” PM Shehbaz said, agreeing with his coalition partners who favoured a non-partisan politician to lead the caretaker set-up.

According to the PM, the caretaker set-up would be agreed upon after consultation with allied parties, PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, and the leader of opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz.

“I assure you there will be a very efficient interim government at the Centre,” he added.

Advice to dissolve NA to be sent before Aug 12

The premier said that a summary of the dissolution of the National Assembly will be sent to the president ahead of the completion of the tenure. He maintained that the NA tenure will complete at 12 midnight on August 12.

He maintained that PML-N would try to make seat adjustments with allied parties, adding that the party would field his candidate in the constitutes where they could not reach a consensus.

The PM said he had no intention to delay elections not even on the issue of the new census. “If notification regarding the new census is issued and even if the new census is notified, it would be up to the Election Commission of Pakistan to handle the issue,” he added.

The PM said his party will make adjustments with any other political party, including PPP and JUI-F, for polls. He said the ruling PML-N will field its own candidates where there will be no need for seat adjustment.

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