ISLAMABAD – After his statement over Mumbai attacks took the media by storm, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif invited his critics to give a thorough review to what is being portrayed as anti-state remarks.
Talking to media outside the accountability court, the embattled leader said that he, who took difficult decisions in the interest of Pakistan, was being called a traitor. He read the controversial remarks before the reporters and said what was wrong in it.
Those who ousted judges from their offices and break constitution of Pakistan are patriots, questioned former premier in a veil reference to previous military dictators.
Standing ground over his remarks published by an English daily, he vowed to keep up stating the right thing whether he has to face stern criticism.
Referring to the interview, Nawaz said he was not the first one to have accepted these facts. He said, “I asked a question and need an answer”.
Hinting at backlash from political parties and others, the former PM deplored this was the reason the world was not ready to accept Pakistan’s narrative.
Those who ask the question are called traitors in media, Nawaz lamented, adding that a man who allowed tests of atomic bomb is called a traitor.
Nawaz regretted that those who ask questions are being termed traitors in the media. “He who conducted atomic tests is being called a traitor,” said the former premier.
Talking about sacrifices in the war on terror, Nawaz said that around 50,000 Pakistanis, including armed forces, police, and civilians lost their lives.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/nawaz-sharif-invites-public-wrath-for-admitting-pakistans-hand-in-mumbai-attacks/
The former prime minister landed in hot waters after his statement in a recent interview to Dawn newspaper, saying, “militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?”
Following the remarks, Pakistan’s top brace of military apparatus approached PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to hold a meeting of National Security Committee to discuss misleading media statement on the Mumbai incident. The meeting is underway.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/nawaz-sharif-may-land-into-troubles-as-nsc-to-discuss-misleading-remarks-about-mumbai-attacks-tomorrow/
“NSC meeting suggested to Prime Minister to discuss recent misleading media statement regarding Bombay incident. Being held tomorrow morning,” DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the ruling party, also swang into action to clarify the remarks attributed to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a media report regarding Mumbai attacks after army suggested a meeting of the NSC.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/mumbai-attacks-pml-n-on-defensive-after-militarys-quick-action/
PML-N President, and Punjab Chief Minister also took to Twitter rejected all assertions, direct or implied, made in news report of DAWN, dated 12-5-18″. He added, “State of Pakistan & all its institutions stand together in the global fight against terrorism. We strongly believe that interests of Pakistan r supreme to all personal & political interests”.
Shehbaz Sharif clarified, “The report “has incorrectly attributed certain remarks to PMLN Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, which do not represent PMLN’s party policy”. There can and shall never be any compromise on any national interest, he added.
The embattled party also issued a clarification late night, stating: “PMLN would like to set the record straight on the interview of PML-N Quaid carried yesterday by DAWN. At the outset, statement of the Quaid has been grossly misinterpreted by the Indian media. Unfortunately a section of Pakistani electronic & social media has intentionally or unintentionally not only validated but has lent credence to the malicious propaganda of Indian media without going through the full facts of the statement”.
