Nawaz Sharif fires another salvo at judiciary over 'double standards'

ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif for the umpteenth time took aim at the judiciary, saying its “dual standards” are coming to light, which is unbecoming of courts.

Interacting with journalists at the accountability court in Islamabad today, he said the country remained on the path to progress despite incessant sit-ins.

Referring to the Supreme Court having reserved verdict on a petition seeking disqualification of his arch-rival PTI chief Imran Khan and secretary general Jehangir Tareen, he questioned when decision in their case will be given. He said courts gave swift verdicts in the cases involving the Sharif family.

“Judiciary’s dual standards are becoming known,” Sharif said, complaining that the words like ‘Sicilian mafia’ and ‘godfather’ were used in the decisions against him.

“This is unbecoming to the judiciary,” he said, alleging that there were different standards for them and others. He said everyone should be treated equally.

Sharif also blamed the judiciary for current situation of the national economy, saying that it suffered due to the judiciary.

He said the PML-N government was not allowed to work freely and sit-ins were continuing since 2014.

He said the government overcame electricity shortage and brought an end to unemployment. Prosperity has finally returned to the country, whose GDP rate is increasing, he claimed.

The former prime minister said terrorism was eliminated from the country and everyone acknowledged the  services they have rendered for the country.

Turning guns on political rivals, he said KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak used official vehicles and government resources to attend the party’s protests. Scams involving Imran Khan, Jehangir Tareen and Aleem Khan have come to the fore, he further said.