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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 Pakistan's political bigwigs had to say:
PM set precedent by appearing before JIT: Danyal Aziz, PML-N
"I want to highlight the fact that the prime minister has set a precedent by appearing before the JIT. However, those who levy allegations against him have been avoiding courts all this time," Aziz said while speaking to reporters outside the Federal Judicial Academy in Islamabad today.
Whatever allegations were made against the Sharif family, there is no proof to back it up. The most they have are summaries of television talk shows, some Twitter handles and a few screenshots from Facebook."
Shameful that country's PM has to appear before JIT: Sheikh Rashid, AML
"It is shameful that Nawaz Sharif refused to relinquish his position as prime minister prior to appearing before the investigation team," Rashid said while speaking to DawnNews.
He would rather have the title prime minister be associated with an investigation into his finances than face the probe as a common man.
He is no more 'Sadiq' and 'Ameen'. It is a matter of shame that the entire first family of a country is appearing before a JIT.
It is a five-over match now and the PML-N would not be able to handle it."
JIT appearance means he was caught: Fawad Chaudhry, PTI
"This is a matter of shame, the precedent being set here is not a matter of pride," Chaudhry said, speaking to reporters in Islamabad.
The fact that the prime minister has to appear before the JIT means that he was caught.
This is a historical moment for the people of Pakistan and the justice that PTI has been talking about is now being delivered."
Welcome precedent for others to emulate: Maryam Nawaz, PM's daughter
"The day that creates history and sets a much required and welcome precedent for others to emulate," said Maryam Nawaz in a tweet before her father appeared before the JIT this morning.
Why are institutions under PM's control delaying investigation?: Asad Umar, PTI
"Will [the] JIT be asking the PM why all relevant institutions under his control are obstructing and delaying the investigation?," Asad Umar asked in a tweet.
'Quest for insaf has reached its first milestone': PTI
"A day to remember in Pakistani history... The quest for insaf has today reached its first milestone," the PTI tweeted from its official account.
"History in the making. A sitting PM finally being held accountable. This wouldn't have been possible without public's quest for Insaf."
JIT will have to establish its impartiality: Rana Sanaullah, PML-N
"The JIT will be answerable if the body, while going beyond its mandate, has threatened the witnesses and forced them to withdraw their statements. The JIT will have to answer for why it employed such tactics which are in total defiance of the standards of justice. If the case is otherwise, the body should explain its position," the Punjab law minister said while addressing a press conference.
"The JIT will have to establish its impartiality before masses... It will have to show that it is dispensing justice."
Government launches attacks on institutions: Babar Awan
"First government on [the] globe that instead of answering allegations of corruption, launches an attack on all institutions and opposition through [its] barking brigade," said Senator Babar Awan.
You'll be watching this all week: Sharmila Faruqi, PPP
Responding to Nusrat Javed's tweet, where he said he was "spared from the burden of watching the 'history-making' appearance of NS before JIT" because of loadshedding, Sharmila Faruqi tweeted, "Unfortunately, you'll be watching this all week."
