PTI berates PM Shehbaz for consulting convicted Nawaz on COAS appointment


 ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (SABAH): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lashed out at Prime Minister Mian Muhammad  Shehbaz Sharif for consulting the convicted Nawaz Sharif pertaining to the appointment of new army chief, which was not only violation of the Official Secrets Act but a breach of his oath.

PTI Senior Vice Presidents Fawad Chaudhary and Dr. Shireen Mazari in a statement on Monday said that the PML-N ministers admitted that Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif held meeting in connection with the appointment of the new COAS.

Fawad Chaudhary said that the Shehbaz Sharif was violating his oath by consulting a convict and absconder for such an important appointment. The PML-N ministers kept on saying that Shahbaz and Nawaz met in London in connection with the appointment of the new army chief and Nawaz Sharif would decide the new COAS, he said.

Coming down hard on Shehbaz Sharif, Fawad stated that such decision-making would be a sheer violation of the Official Secrets Act and a breach of his oath.

Fawad Chauhdry said that the people of Pakistan hold the Pakistan Army close to their hearts and the decision of a convicted person to choose its head is against the dignity and respect of the army and PTI strongly protests against this grave legal violation.

Talking about filing FIR against Javed Latif and Marriyum Auragnzib, Fawad welcomed development and called upon government of Punjab that all accused should be arrested and this should not be just another routine FIR.

However, he urged that using religion card against PML-N and other opponents was as bad by any PTI follower as it was for others. “We demand not to use religious hatred campaigns against our leadership or opponents,” he added.

About the indecision against ECP’s members, Fawad stated that the application against the member of the ECP has been pending in the Supreme Judicial Council for several months, but the meetings of the Council was not being held since long.

He said that the court pleaded that they cannot hear the case against the member of the ECP. He raised the question where did the principle go, ‘where there is a right there is a remedy’.

Talking about Shehbaz’s meeting with Nawaz, Dr Shireen Mazari said: “Do those who brought crime minister and cabal of crooks to power realise that this lot is a security risk and threat to Pakistan because everything is discussed with convict sitting in London which is a violation of Official Secrets Act, including confidential matters?”

Mazari said that that Dastagir’s statement was the proof that a convict sitting in London would make this important decision and for that he would be given confidential information in violation of Official Secrets Act.