Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the arrest of opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif demanded his immediate release, 24NewsHD TV channel reported Monday.
In a statement issued, Bilawal said: “Imran puzzled Khan from Pakistan Democratic Movement has resorted to clever tactics. Sending notices and arresting opposition politicians is proof of Imran Khan's bewilderment.”
Shehbaz Sharif has been arrested by anti-graft watchdog after his interim bail was rejected by the Lahore High Court (LHC) Monday.
“Imran Khan must stop using the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for political revenge: Fugitive dictator has serious allegations against him but no notice has been sent to him and no arrest was made.”
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan's sister and special assistants have serious allegations but NAB does not summon them.
“NAB's targeting of opposition politicians cannot stop public resistance,” Bilawal further said. Bilwal said the journey of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will not be stopped come what may.
Former Finance Minister and PML-N leader Ishaq Dar said the arrest of the PML-N President has once again exposed the one-sided revenge. “The NAB-Niazi nexus is condemnable,” he said in a tweet.
Former Sindh Governor and PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair reacting on the arrest of his party leader said, “Shehbaz Sharif’s bail rejected. He is being arrested. For what we still don’t know? Not a single evidence has been pointed out blaming for corruption, kick back or commission or misuse of authority. Inshallah he will come out without being implicated like it happened in the past.”
PPP leader and Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said that NAB is further distorting its face with such measures. “Arrests of opposition leaders including Shehbaz Sharif will further intensify the anti-government movement,” Saeed Ghani maintained.
While, former Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said, “Shehbaz Sharif’s again arrest is a murder of justice. His tireless efforts for the nation are being returned with a political revenge.”
GOVT’S REACTION
Special Assistant to Prime Minister of Pakistan on Political Communication said what type of party organization PML-N does itself that every leader comes out as a convicted. He alleged, “From convicted Nawaz Sharif to convicted Shehbaz Sharif. From convicted Shehbaz Sharif to convicted Maryam Safdar (sentence suspended but not guilty). Are everyone outside the family incompetent.”
Reacting to the PML-N statements, Advisor to Prime Minister on Accountability & Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar said, “Lahore High Court rejects pre arrest bail of Shehbaz Sharif after prolonged hearings for months. Maryam Aurangzeb speaks outside LHC to the media and says it’s the government doing it. Is this not contempt of court? As the court rejected the bail.”
Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chauhan claimed Shehbaz Sharif’s bail was rejected after finding evidence of his own corruption and dishonesty. “The arrest of Shehbaz Sharif is the result of his own actions for the last four deices, especially the last 10 years,” he added.
Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas in a statement issued said,” Courts are completely independent to take decisions and PTI have made the institutions independent.”