LAHORE: PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif has expressed his disappointment at declaring its Quaid Nawaz Sharif an absconder in the Toshakhana case.

“It is sad to see such an order against someone who left his wife on the death bed to uphold the rule of law and the principle of accountability no matter how controversial and questionable. The people of Pakistan have been hurt by this decision against the man who made Pakistan a nuclear power in the face of unimaginable global presence against it,” the National Assembly Opposition Leader said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.

Shahbaz said even when he was prime minister, Nawaz Sharif always faced the law, courts and was never reluctant to present himself for accountability. Nawaz wrote a letter to the Supreme Court and presented himself for accountability, he added.

He said the PML-N leadership, with its conduct, had always upheld the supremacy and indiscriminate application of law.

He assured that Nawaz would return to face the courts the day his doctors allowed him to return after his treatment.

“Such conduct towards someone who rid the country of terrorism and established the extensive road communication network for the country, is a dark chapter in the history of the country,” Shahbaz lamented.

Meanwhile, PML-N Punjab president Rana Sanaullah has said that a “tainted officer” (Umer Sheikh) has been appointed as the Lahore police chief so that the opposition, especially the PML-N, could be targeted.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, the outspoken politician said the police had been handed over to the man who was facing serious allegations.

“The PTI government has no other agenda, but to go for political victimisation of the opposition,” he said.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Tuesday removed IG Punjab Shoaib Dastagir after his tiff with Lahore police chief Umer Sheikh.

Mr Dastagir had stopped working after Mr Sheikh was posted as capital city police officer of Lahore and soon after assuming the office he (Sheikh), during a meeting with senior police officers allegedly used derogatory language against the provincial police chief and other senior officers.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2020