Nawaz Sharif calls for amending laws concerning appointment of judges

ISLAMABAD - Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed on Monday that the procedure for the appointment of judges needs to be revised, for which the Parliament should play an effective role.

In an informal discussion with newsmen outside the accountability court in Islamabad, the former premier asserted that the standard operating procedure of Supreme Judicial Council should also be changed.

Commenting on the accountability court trial, the Supreme Leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz expressed that he was being targeted, wondering whether the graft cases filed against him, were a message for the Sharif family.

Decrying that nothing substantial was found against Sharifhaif family despite a lapse of eight months, the former legislator quipped that should Sharif family itself provide a smoking gun to the court.

The PML-N leader explained that he had also discussed filing an acquittal plea in the court, citing that not an iota of corruption was proved against him.

'Only politicians are held accountable in Pakistan' he declared and added that a new system would be introduced after PML-N secures victory in upcoming elections.

Talking about the recent defections in the party, the 68-years-old politician expressed that the lawmakers were threatened, harassed and even pressurized by the National Accountability Bureau for changing the loyalties, however, the faithful stood by the party.

He also stressed that the statement of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman, Imran Khan, regarding the role played by the army for manoeuvring elections should be investigated.

The former lawmaker also revealed that he had a discussion with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to make the NAB laws ineffective.

Regarding the gun attack on Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the elder Sharif expressed that he had a telephonic conversation with Iqbal's son and he was out of danger.

Regarding the possibility of a delay in polls following the botched failed assassination attempt, Sharif replied that they will not let general elections be delayed in the country at any cost.

The former prime minister along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz appeared before the accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir in the Avenfield Reference.

Nawaz and his family are facing three corruption cases which pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London in the Accountability Court-I after the NAB filed references against them in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict, in the Panama Papers case.

Nawaz Sharif and his sons Hussain and Hasan are accused in all three references whereas his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar are named in the Avenfield reference only.

Hussian and Hassan Nawaz are UK-based and have been absconding since the proceedings began last year, however, the former premier has been showing up regularly before the court of judge Muhammad Bashir.

Averting Disqualification

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif stated on Sunday that he would change the law to revoke his disqualification verdict once he is elected back to power in the general elections 2018.

Addressing a rally in Mansehra, the disqualified premier said the only way to change his disqualification verdict was by changing the law in Parliament. He also enlisted the support of the public for the said move.

"You are Pakistanis just like those five judges and no one can disrespect your decision. You will not bow down and neither will I.” Sharif asserted to thunderous cheers from the audience.