'Is accountability for politicians only?': Analysts weigh in on PM's JIT appearance

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

As Nawaz Sharif became the first sitting prime minister to record a statement before a joint investigation team (JIT) probing his family's alleged corruption on Thursday, here's what analysts had to say while talking to DawnNews:

Is accountability for politicians only?: Hamid Mir

"It is the only example of its kind in the history of Pakistan when a sitting prime minister is going to appear before an investigation team. The prime minister should have resigned before he appeared before the JIT for investigation by grade-21 officers.

"Unfortunately law is equal for all politicians in the country but not for military dictators. Following the development, pressure will increase on the judiciary to proceed the cases against former dictator Pervez Musharraf.

"Musharraf will have to appear before judiciary, otherwise the current JIT and courts will be mocked in future.

"History teaches us that people are held accountable one day, no matter how powerful they are."

New leaf in history in the making: Nusrat Jawed

"With the appearance of PM Sharif before the JIT, a new leaf in history is being made and a new precedent is being set for coming prime ministers.

"Currently Nawaz Sharif was the only target and no other politician will be held accountable in near future.

"Musharraf did not appear before the courts because he was not a politician. We have a class-based system in our country where none dare to touch figures from the upper class."

PM should have resigned: Iftikhar Ahmed

"The prime minister should have resigned from his post before appearing for investigation by the JIT. The demand for his resignation was justified.

"Had he resigned, his political weight would have increased.

"The government will have to take initiative to held other politicians accountable. Questions are already being raised against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)."

PM says JIT probing family wealth, not misuse of state funds: Talat Hussain

During his post investigation media talk, the prime minister, while rejecting allegations of corruption, drew a distinction saying that the JIT is probing the family's own assets, not alleged corruption regarding the state's money.

Nawaz Sharif also said that the cases filed against him and his family are politically motivated. Referring to 'a bigger JIT' next year, the premier also rejected the impression that the party would hold the General Election before next year.

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MUHAMMAD FAHEEM KHAN

Jun 15, 2017 01:10pm

These people cry why there is so corruption then when accountability happens they cry. let it happen let heads roll

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zeeshan

Jun 15, 2017 01:11pm

Disagree with the last.

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Love Your Country

Jun 15, 2017 01:12pm

Some people are positioning themselves for the end result that may not go their way.

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Adnan Jidaker

Jun 15, 2017 01:12pm

Politicians are elected by the masses, that is their duty to build structure where no one can think of doing corruption , instead ruling politicians encourage corruption.

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Fawad

Jun 15, 2017 01:13pm

All Politician, All Officer of Civil and Armed Forces and All Judicial Officers (from Session to Supreme Court) in Pakistan are also liable for accountability and Investigation

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S. A. Sherani

Jun 15, 2017 01:18pm

No not just for the politicians but these politicians are supposed to uphold the law and make everyone accountable. But the narrative being projected as being the victim is very shameful rather they should have come forward with an ambition to make Pakistan a land of Law and Justice

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Pakistani

Jun 15, 2017 01:19pm

Politicians are the ones who flout the law the most. People like Hamid Mir should read what the Supreme Court judges said about NS recently. Politicians take oath and lie on the face of the people and run away with public money so why on God's earth should they not be brought infront of JITs, courts etc.

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Kabir

Jun 15, 2017 01:20pm

'Is accountability for politicians only? " before asking such questions please answer my simple queries Why the so-called public representatives indulge in corrupt practices in first place otherwise they would have not to surrender before any JIT secondly they are in power they can make accountability institutions strong, they can enact better laws, rules and regulations they have all resources at their disposal constitutionally who stopped them to act democratically and judiciously ?

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Aftab Wilson

Jun 15, 2017 01:23pm

Apprehensions shown about accountability for all must be followed. There is need to change law which gives immunity to certain class. Case in point is about Musharraf & cases pending in SJC. Also Asghar Khan, Bibi Shaheed Benazeer Bhutto etc. There are many Commission reports which also needs to be published.

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Truth

Jun 15, 2017 01:25pm

I second Hamid Mir & Nusrat Jawad, if the said person or his likes don't appear or get indited than the civil/politician will consider this process as victimization and not rule of law...

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Kabir

Jun 15, 2017 01:32pm

@Truth Rampant corruption and sheer incompetence have made the politicians morally weak to make the powerful institutions, people accountable

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sameer

Jun 15, 2017 01:45pm

Once Punjab has given its fair share of the corrupt to prison sentences, the next number is of Sindh...otherwise Sindh will continue to blame Punjab for accountability.Once these two provinces are dealt with, the absconders from Justice, the fatigue wearing self commando claiming retirees must also answer for the waves of terrorism in the country to the NRO they approved.

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Shah Karez

Jun 15, 2017 01:47pm

Say 'no' to corruption wherever it exists. This country has been looted by the corrupt mafias.

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NAVEED

Jun 15, 2017 01:48pm

I have never seen any accountability happening in our country due to which we are standing where we are today. It should happen with everyone including the military dictators but atleast it should start. Why to cry about accountability at all. Its a good trend. I fail to understand people crying about Accountability of politicians only by which they mean it shouldn't happen at all.

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Junaid Ahmad

Jun 15, 2017 01:50pm

Dear Hamid Mir , Nusrat Jawed & Iftikhar Ahmed, The politicians doom the nation and the people of Pakistan. Indeed the Musharaf is dictator but that was the best time for Pakistan in terms of economically and politically. Pakistani people are respected abroad good relations with neighbors and western world. And it is regret to say that both political parties are badly failed the people and Pakistan for last 10 years. Best Regards, (Junaid Ahmad) Financial Analyst- Pride Group Dubai -UAE

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M.Mudassir Siddiqui

Jun 15, 2017 01:53pm

Poor Comments by Hamid Mir

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Friend of a friend

Jun 15, 2017 02:04pm

It's a good precedent in history. Any future PM will have to face court if called. Humid Mir may please understand the ruling politicians and legislators have easy approach to funds & spendings, as Finance minister is their friend.Hence politicians should be first for probes, for their disproportionate high level of life style.Charity begins from top in such cases,if top high level persons are pious & honest the persons at low levels will automatically refrain from gratfs.

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Muhammad

Jun 15, 2017 02:06pm

BBC has posted photo of Nawaz, Mariam Nawaz, Iskhaq Dar and pervaiz Rasheed on front page of BBC website, Has pervaiz Rasheed resumed again or what..?

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SHAHZAD

Jun 15, 2017 02:07pm

@Pakistani Supreme Court judges also issued warrants several times for Musharaf to appear before the Supreme Court of your and my country. What's your take on this?

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peace

Jun 15, 2017 02:15pm

@Kabir behind the scene many forces are there working round the clock to dislodge politicians and political government. some of them consider themselves above the law and constitution. in such a environment talk of "law & Justice" is mock

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Tango Tango

Jun 15, 2017 02:21pm

He is facing the investigation head on, setting a good precedent. Why should he resign? Only if impeached, and only then, his resignation becomes necessary. Comments like 'politicians lie to the people' do not carry weight in our society, where we are all liars and everyone lies to everyone else, not just the leaders. Lairs like us deserve leaders who lie to us. We as a people are incapable of handling the truth.

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lafanga

Jun 15, 2017 02:24pm

'Is accountability for politicians only?' You start with the main culprits and walk your way down.

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Muhammad Ismail

Jun 15, 2017 02:29pm

The politicians have to do the accountability of all, irrespective of knowing who is who but they remained unconcerned. When someone ask for their own accountability they will cry for fouls.

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Bidhu

Jun 15, 2017 02:35pm

I salute Pakistan for not sparing even the sitting PM!

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Abdulkarim

Jun 15, 2017 04:29pm

@sameer Meanwhile KPK and Balochistan are lands of the Pure where everyone is an angel and no one does even an iota of curroption whatsoever.Before you start attacking me on provincial ground,I am a resident of KPK myself and I know that corruption do happen here too and on a large scale.

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AAhmed

Jun 15, 2017 04:34pm

Why we make such a big deal of every normal process ? Why we don't hold people above normal standards when they hold higher status as minister. A common person should be able to question their wrong doings set aside the supreme court. If PM is presenting himself to investigation because he is not "big person" only because he was forced to answer for corruption charges. It should not be a proud moment, he should be ashamed of shady character that requires investigation. Mr. Hamid mir is again raising the same rhetorical question, why politician, and not all corrupt. Has not there court martial of generals in corruption cases ? Besides accountability starts somewhere. Politicians must come first then others will follow suit. In Pakistan these corrupt politicians always say "don't question me until you bring every single thief in court. " That is not how things work in the world. Who ever get caught doing crime get punished, one at a time. You have to begin somewhere and then keep it up.

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mariahisconfused

Jun 15, 2017 04:35pm

@Bidhu who is he exactly

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Khalid Latif

Jun 15, 2017 04:37pm

For those who say why Nawaz Sharif is being singled out (accountability). First, he is the head of this country and accountable. Second, accountability investigations may not end here. It appears, the Supreme Court has more investigations planned, after it is done with the current JIT.

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zulfiqar

Jun 15, 2017 05:31pm

Talat's comments are hard to understand. The prime minister's family wealth and the corruption are interconnected. No one would have raised any issue if there was any balance in the amount of money he claims to earn and the way they have lived their lives.

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Jun 15, 2017 06:16pm

By your saying " Is accountability only for politicians" you are admitting that politicians are corrupt. Congratulations for making one honest acknowledgement.

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omair_Khan

Jun 15, 2017 10:17pm

Excellent analysis. There is a lot to read between the lines, something you can't say openly. I think people understand but everybody is tight lipped.

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arshad durrani

Jun 16, 2017 12:02am

The net must close-in on all,civies or khakis.

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Shahid

Jun 16, 2017 12:48am

Nawaz Sharif had no choice but appear before the JIT.Pakistan is undergoing a revolution wherein the big and mighty are being held accountable.All this credit goes to Imran Khan whom history will remember as the one who revolutionised Pakistani politics.Pakistan is surely on way to become Jinnah's pakistan.

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Aqib

Jun 16, 2017 01:56am

If NAB (or any other independent institution) was working independently and investigating any corrupt person, regardless which institution that person belongs to, then no one would have cried.

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Syed

Jun 16, 2017 02:25am

This family has been looting the country for past three decades. This is the largest corruption case in the history of Pakistan which amounts to Billions of dollars in 30 years. And now they are posing as if they volunteered for accountability.

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taha

Jun 16, 2017 06:45am

those who profess justice must live with it.

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Shahji

Jun 16, 2017 06:53am

@Love Your Country End result means end of civil democracy. Not the end of Sharif's or PMLN and an other law of necessity

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Jun 16, 2017 07:00am

These comments were expected from these guys..

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Zafar ahmed

Jun 16, 2017 10:50am

Nothing will come out from this JIT as we all know it is all beautifully choreographed and staged. Eventually, they will be exonerated.

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Shakil

Jun 17, 2017 06:15am

@Junaid Ahmad Sorry brother I beg to differ. In today’s world, democracy is the only viable option of governance we have. But there are certain pre-conditions for it, most important of which is the quality of the polity, the people who vote. We have had problems in this regard due to lack of education and our historical heritage of tribal system in our society that necessitated our security apparatus to dominate the polity in order to lead them in the right direction. The civil bureaucracy also has not yet given up its colonial mentality of self-serving. But, still, democracy is the only choice we have in order to survive as a nation in the modern milieu and all the institutions of the state must play a very robust patriotic role in putting the country on those lines.

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