News Analysis |
Local media reported on the eve of Friday that the President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shahbaz Sharif is likely to leave for Britain in next two days. However, the spokesperson of Sharif family has denied such reports.
As per details, sources close to the PML-N informed local media that Shahbaz Sharif may depart for London in the next 72 hours to see his daughter-in-law and ailing granddaughter who was suffering from cardiac issues.
Prominent journalist Muhammad Malick believes that the next few days shall determine as to what the PM Khan is up to.
It has also been added that the PML-N president has contacted his doctors in London to discuss his own health problems. However, Sharif family’s spokesperson has rejected all such speculations about the PML-N president, saying all the circulating news are baseless in this regard and Shahbaz is in Pakistan at the moment, he claimed.
He further maintained that the Lahore High Court order, related to excluding Shahbaz’s name from the exit control list (ECL), has not been received as yet. It deserves merit to be mentioned here that the PML-N president had been placed on ECL on February 22 after the recommendation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and approval of the federal cabinet.
Read more: Shahbaz’s name to be removed from ECL: LHC
The LHC on Tuesday ordered the removal of PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL). A division bench, headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, passed the orders on a petition, filed by the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly against placing his name on the no-fly list. The government has reportedly decided to challenge the decision of the LHC in the apex court.
Earlier in Feb, the PML-N President was able to get bail in a case filed against him by the NAB. It is important to note that the detailed verdict by the Lahore High Court on bail petitions of leader of opposition in the National Assembly in Ashiana Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills rules that the allegations of misuse of authority and cancelling the first contract of the scheme against Mr Sharif have not been supported by any documentary evidence produced by the NAB.
It has also been added that the PML-N president has contacted his doctors in London to discuss his own health problems.
“Moreover, the allegation against Shahbaz Sharif/petitioner that he got cancelled the contract of M/s Chaudhry Abdul Latif & Sons has also not been supported by the record of the present case because the contract was never cancelled rather the matter was settled through a written agreement with the mutual consent of the parties,” says the verdict issued by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf.
Read more: Shahbaz Sharif faces another JIT in Model Town massacre
It is in the air that Prime Minister Imran Khan who has been repeatedly saying that there shall be no deal with the opposition and the rule of law shall always be marinated is now upset. Analysts opine that after Shahbaz’s removal from the ECL and relief given to Nawaz Sharif by the apex court have pushed the premier into troubled waters.
PM Khan’s narrative remained clear that those who looted the money shall have to face the consequence, therefore, any perception of any deal or NRO shall directly affect his credibility. Prominent journalist Muhammad Malick believes that the next few days shall determine as to what the PM Khan is up to.