Khawaja Asif expresses concern over the behavior of ‘good to see you’ and highlighting a potential threat. He emphasized the necessity of Nawaz Sharif’s return before the elections and called for compensation to the three-time former prime minister.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hinted at Nawaz Sharif’s possible return to Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019. The return might happen after the retirement of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial. The defence minister expressed concerns over the behaviour of the top judge, particularly during the past few months, and mentioned that they feel threatened by the “good to see you” remark from the apex court. He cautioned against taking the risk of Nawaz Sharif’s return under the current circumstances. The defence minister shared his views on the matter during an interview.
Nawaz Sharif resigned as Prime Minister on July 28, 2017. This decision came after the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict disqualifying him from holding public office. The five-member Supreme Court bench unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif for failing to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables from UAE-based Capital FZE in his nomination papers for the 2013 General Election.
The court ruled that this omission made him “dishonest” and “untruthful” according to the Constitution.
Justice CJP Bandial will serve as the Chief Justice until September 16, 2023. Following his tenure, Justice Qazi Faez Isa will succeed him as the new Chief Justice.
On May 11, a three-member bench led by CJP Bandial directed the anti-graft agency, NAB, to present PTI Chairman Imran Khan two days after his arrest in a graft case. Complying with the orders, Imran Khan appeared before the bench in Courtroom No. 1 under tight security.
Upon arriving at the rostrum, the incumbent chief justice warmly greeted the ex-PM, saying, “Good to see you.”
When questioned, the PML-N stalwart emphasized the necessity of his party supremo’s return before the upcoming general elections. He stressed the importance of Nawaz Sharif’s presence in the party ahead of the elections.. Party workers have been eagerly waiting for their supreme leader for the past three and a half years. He also stated that injustice was done to the three-time former prime minister
Maryam’s Demand for Overturning Nawaz Sharif’s Conviction
In February of this year, PML-N Senior Vice-President and Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz made a demand for justice on behalf of her father Nawaz Sharif. She urged for the redressal of his “injustice” before the upcoming elections in the country. While addressing her party’s workers’ convention in Sahiwal, Maryam emphasized the necessity of overturning Nawaz Sharif’s conviction before holding elections. Speaking to the PML-N workers, she reiterated the importance of serving justice before conducting polls and stressed the significance of respecting the voting process in the country.
