40
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.
