Nawaz Sharif to soften stance after 26/11 statement

Islamabad: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was on Thursday assured that deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will soften the stance he has taken on the 26/11 case.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the ruling party. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The lawmakers raised certain concerns and points pertaining to the recent interview in which Nawaz Sharif stated that non-state actors were involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal also attended the meeting, while questions were raised on the absence of former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Lawmakers argued for a formation of a clear party policy to ensure it does not clash with the ideology of the lawmakers. The lawmakers complained that they were facing hurdles when addressing residents of their constituencies due to Mr Sharif’s stance.

Shehbaz Sharif assured them that the interview was taken out of context. In an attempt to do damage control, PM Abbasi also intervened and said that media reports misquoted Nawaz Sharif.

The lawmakers questioned the need for such an interview in the first place. Recently, while addressing a National Assembly session, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) raised questions on the nature and content of the deposed Premier’s speech.

All the lawmakers addressed their concerns regarding the new crisis the party was facing, they complained of the adversity that comes with it.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the accountability court has handed over questionnaire regarding Avenfield reference to ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammed Safdar.

The proceedings of London flats reference have entered final phase as the accused have been directed to appear in the court on Friday to record their statements under the Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The other two accused, Hussain and Hassan Nawaz have been declared absconders.