News Analysis |
Maryam Nawaz, vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has warned the movement of a hunger strike if it does not allow her to see her father or send him homemade food. From the past few days, the government has decided to ban homemade food for Nawaz which has sparked criticism by the party and Sharif family. The jail authorities stated that they feared homemade foods were causing bad effects on the health of Nawaz Sharif. They said he was a convict and could not be allowed luxuries under the law.
In a series of tweets, Maryam slammed the government and also warned with the possibility of a hunger strike. “The fake government has imposed restrictions on homemade meals for Nawaz Sharif. The staff who took his food has been waiting outside the jail for the last five hours,” said Maryam in a Twitter thread.
جعلی حکومت نے نواز شریف صاحب کے گھر کے کھانے پر پابندی عائد کر دی ہے۔ کھانا لے جانے والا سٹاف پچھلے 5 گھنٹے سے جیل کے باہر کھڑا ہے۔ میاں صاحب نے جیل کا کھانا کھانے سے انکار کر دیا ہے۔ اگر انھوں نے اگلے 24 گھنٹے میں یہ پابندی واپس نا لی تو میں عدالت سے رجوع کروں گی۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 8, 2019
Maryam Nawaz also clarified that the former PM has refused to eat prison food. “Mian sahab has refused to eat prison food. If they [the government] do not take back this restriction in the next 24 hours, then I will approach the court.”
Nawaz Sharif has been convicted by a court of law. He has been awarded punishment. He now needs to be treated as per law, not according to the wishes of Maryam or any other PML-N loyalist.
“If I don’t get help from the court, then I will sit outside Kot Lakhpat jail. Even if I have to go on a hunger strike, I will do it,” she warned in another tweet.
“I don’t trust these oppressors, they can mix anything in Mian sahab’s food,” she said, adding her warning should not be considered a mere threat and that she would go through with it.
عدالت سے بھی مدد نا ملی تو میں کوٹلکھپت جیل کے باہر جا کر بیٹھوں گی۔ بھوک ہڑتال بھی کرنا پڑی تو کروں گی۔ ان ظالموں پر مجھے بھروسہ نہیں ہے۔ یہ میاں صاحب کے کھانے میں کچھ بھی ملا سکتے ہیں۔ اس بات کو دھمکی نا سمجھا جائے کیونکہ میں یہ کر گزروں گی۔ https://t.co/it4AIFvuM7
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 8, 2019
Former PM’s doctor, Adnan Khan, also tweeted saying; “this is extremely disturbing.”
This is so extremely disturbing.
Former PM #NawazSharif is on twice daily injections of Insulin besides other essential medicines.
He requires timely meals & medication which at no cost be compromised.
It’s deplorable & unacceptable! https://t.co/vbLANmwCSm— DR. ADNAN KHAN (@Dr_Khan) July 8, 2019
In a statement issued by Shahbaz Sharif, President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), he expressed that Nawaz Sharif is a heart patient and needs homemade food to control his health and diet, whereas the government is doing injustice by depriving him of it.
Moreover, the opposition leader conspired that Prime Minister Imran Khan is extracting revenge against him, “Listen, Imran Khan, you can’t break our morale with your cruelty. Our morale is high as a sky,” he added.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz demands PM Khan’s Resignation
Political commentators believe that the PML-N now wants special treatment for Nawaz Sharif which is, in essence, is negation of the rules of law. It is believed that since Nawaz is a convicted prisoner, therefore, he must not be treated with special or additional protocols. Anwar Lodhi, journalist and prominent political analyst, said “Mian shb is a convicted prisoner. He should be given food according to the jail manure. Why do you want a special treatment for him?”
محترمہ میاں صاحب قیدی ہیں.. جیل میں ہیں.. جیل مینیول کے مطابق کھانا جیل سے ہی ملنا چاہیے.. آپ کیوں اپنے لیے سپیشل ٹریٹمنٹ چاہتی ہیں؟
— Anwar Lodhi (@AnwarLodhi) July 8, 2019
Sabir Shakir, Bureau chief ARY TV and prominent political commentator, also recently noted that the problem with the former ruling party is that it is reluctant to accept reality. “Nawaz Sharif has been convicted by a court of law. He has been awarded punishment. He now needs to be treated as per law, not according to the wishes of Maryam or any other PML-N loyalist,” he said.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz slams government, ignores some hard facts
Journalists and political commentators believe that Nawaz Sharif is now well and should be given medical facilities as per the law. Treating one prisoner different from others actually raises questions against the promises made by Prime Minister Khan before his elections as PM, to make the looters pay for what they did, to provide justice for his country.