HYDERABAD: Adviser to the Chief Minister on Information Maula Bux Chandio has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has two options to ward off anything unpleasant in the backdrop of Panamagate; he should either resign and seek a fresh mandate or nominate someone from among his relatives-cum-ministers as the premier.

Mr Chandio was speaking to journalists at his residence on Tuesday after receiving a warm welcome from his supporters on his nomination as the Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamen­tarians (PPP-P) information secretary.

Saghir Qureshi, Ali Mohammed Sahto, Fayyaz Shah, Noorun Nisa Abro and other senior party activists were present.

Mr Chandio said that the PM had now claimed immunity [in the Panamagate case] maintaining that what he had said in parliament could not be discussed in court.

“It means that he has lied in parliament; and when you lie, you have to face the law. Why don’t you confess?” he argued.

The senior PPP leader claimed that no other leader of the world whose name featured in the Panama Papers leaks contested the claim.

He said PPP believed that the scam was bound to muddle the ruling PML-N, which stood baffled over it.

Regarding the interior minister’s handling of his portfolio, Mr Chandio said the PPP had serious issues with Chaudhry Nisar because “he is partner of terrorists, who have killed thousands including army men”.

“The PPP will keep criticising him if he continues to back terrorists responsible for APS and other carnage. With Nawaz Sharif, we could have political disagreement but we will never brand him traitor or collaborator of terrorists,” said Mr Chandio, adding that the interior minister was again propagating the philosophy of good and bad terrorists. If Chaudhry Nisar kept supporting ‘terrorists’, the PPP would take its political opposition to ‘inimical proportions’ with him.

He observed that ever since the retirement of [former army chief] Raheel Sharif, PML-N ministers had been hinting at a review of the National Action Plan and military courts although they remained silent during his tenure.

He said he had always opposed military courts but it was only in the backdrop of the APS carnage that it agreed despite having reservations. This time again, he added, PPP was opposing proposed extension to military courts but if the entire country favoured it [extension], the party could also accept the proposal.

About extension in Rangers’ special powers, he said the issue would hopefully be resolved amicably soon. “It is purely a state function but some parties and elements tend to politicise it although it is directly linked with peace in Karachi,” he said.

In reply to a question about the new governor of Sindh, Mr Chandio said it would be prudent enough that the federal government consulted the Sindh government to show its seriousness [over issues of the province].

Regarding the controversial bill on forced conversion, he said that it was not being withdrawn but being amended to make it acceptable to everyone.

He said the proposed law was being introduced to give a sense of security to the Hindu community in Sindh and to present an enlightened image of Pakistan to the world and India, which never missed an opportunity to defame Pakistan on this ground.

Published in Dawn January 18th, 2017