Politicians slam PM Sharif's remarks equating oppn with terrorists

Islamabad - Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali lamented that an unfortunate culture of mutual exchange of allegations and recrimination is steadily injecting into the public behaviour.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's remarks equating the opposition leaders with terrorists have evoked a sharp reaction from political leaders and analysts.
In an oblique reference at a Karachi gathering on Saturday, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali lamented that an unfortunate culture of mutual exchange of allegations and recrimination is steadily injecting into the public behaviour.
Analysts labelled it as an unfortunate hike in political temperature in the country generated by Panama leaks. A leading English daily in an editorial comment noted that the Panama Papers appears to be becoming a political tussle between a government that wants to obfuscate and an opposition that appears unsure of its belief in across-the-board accountability.
"A prime minister should not hide behind technicalities and legal minutiae - it is not just his person, but the office itself that is affected by the choices the prime minister makes. The PML-N and Sharif appear to be in denial of some rather basic democratic principles," it added.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Prime Minister Sharif had called his opponents no different than terrorists which explains why his anti-terrorism policy is so ineffective.
PTI chief Imran Khan while talking to reporters, described the ToRs proposed by the opposition as an excellent basis for investigating corruption particularly the revelations of assets of prime minister's children. The premier is being asked simple questions about the origin of his foreign assets in 1992-93 and beyond. Instead of answering these questions, he is touring various cities making speeches to attack his opponents, Imran Khan said.
Imran conditionally offered himself up for accountability along side the prime minister on the basis of these ToRs.
Sindh government spokesman Maula Bakhsh Chandio said the prime minister is engaged in politics of development projects. He is inaugurating bridges and roads to be built at state expense as though they were paid for by Sharif.
On Saturday the prime minister chaired a meeting of his aides and leaders of allied parties, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hasil Bizenjo and Achakzai to discuss the political situation and ToRs of the government and the opposition.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman later described opposition's ToRs as illegal, undemocratic targeting the prime minister.
Prominent TV anchor Talat Hussain in his talk show said the prime minister begins to announce expensive projects at officially organised public gatherings whenever he comes under pressure. However, PM House spokesman Asif Kirmani denied that the premier is under any pressure. He said the development projects being announced by him are part of his consistent policy and the gatherings are spontaneous response by the people.
The chief justice has yet to respond to prime minister's letter requesting formation of a judicial commission to probe the Panama leaks with a controversial set of terms of reference (ToRs).
- news@khaleejtimes.com

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