ISLAMABAD – Former chief justice of Pakistan Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar has rubbished allegations of issuing directives to a high court judge to not give bail to PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz till the conclusion of the 2018 general election.
His reaction comes after an investigative report quotes ex-chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan apex court Rana Shamim as saying in his affidavit that Nisar had instructed a subordinate judge to keep both father-daughter duo in jail at any cost till the general elections, a stunning claim that has sent shockwaves among the political ranks.
“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he [Saqib Nisar] became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” The News quotes the affidavit of the former top judge of GB as saying.
Shamim’s submitted his statement under oath before the Oath Commissioner on November 10, 2021.
Both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were convicted by an accountability court in a corruption reference before the July 25, 2018 general elections. Their lawyers had approached court for suspension of the conviction but their case, after initial hearings, was adjourned till last week of July.
Former top judge Saqib Nisar in his statement termed the allegation as “white lies”. He also accused Shamim of embroiling him the controversy for not denying him extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Nisar said that he would respond to the baseless allegations.
Meanwhile, former chief justice GB apex court Rana Shamim sticks to his claims. He said that former CJP Saqib Nisar had no authority to extend his tenure.
On the other hand, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif termed the report explosive.
He wrote on Twitter, “Explosive news story by Ansar Abbasi peels off a thick layer of a grand scheme employed to target Nawaz Sharif & Maryam Nawaz. Allah has His own way of revealing the truth. It’s yet another vindication of Nawaz Sharif & Maryam in the court of public opinion. Alhumdulillah!”
Explosive news story by Ansar Abbasi peels off a thick layer of a grand scheme employed to target Nawaz Sharif & Maryam Nawaz. Allah has His own way of revealing the truth. It’s yet another vindication of Nawaz Sharif & Maryam in the court of public opinion. Alhumdulillah!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 15, 2021
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry lashed out at the campaigns being run the country to prove that Nawaz is innocent.
