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Published 15 Nov, 2017 10:59pm

Nawaz vows to continue struggle for 'sanctity of vote, provision of justice'

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said he will continue his struggle "for the sanctity of vote, the provision of justice and the implementation of rule of law", and said that the coming generations will reap the benefits of these efforts.

Nawaz Sharif presided over an informal meeting at Punjab House after his appearance at an accountability court in Islamabad earlier in the day. The former premier is currently facing trial in the accountability courts where references pertaining to the Sharif family's business dealing are being heard.

During the meeting, the party's political and legal strategies were discussed.

A legal team, headed by Advocate Khawaja Harris ─ who represented the former premier before the Supreme Court during the Panama Papers case and is currently doing the same before the accountability courts ─ and Attorney General Ashtar Ausuf met the ousted prime minister to discuss the accountability process and the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case.

It was decided during the meeting that after being exempted from appearing before the accountability court, Nawaz will depart for London to take care of his ailing wife, Kulsoom Nawaz.

Maryam Nawaz, the former premier's daughter, will join him in London later this month, sources said.

Nawaz also held a meeting with the vice president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, who announced his decision to join the PML-N.

Later, the PML-N chief met National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and discussed the proposed delimitation process and the recommended constitutional amendments.

The speaker briefed the former premier about the proceedings of the National Assembly session on Tuesday.

Maryam also held meetings with the PML-N leaders to discuss the upcoming Abbottabad rally, scheduled to be held on Nov 19, which will mark the start of PML-N's countrywide mass contact movement.

According to sources, Maryam told the party members and leaders to speed up the public contact campaign and mobilise the workers.

As Nawaz Sharif left the accountability court earlier in the day, he spoke to the media and said: "The Panamagate verdict was given to tell the accountability court to make sure Nawaz Sharif is punished."

The language used in the Panamagate verdict mirrors the language that his political opponents use, he added.

"These courts have double standards. On one hand, we can all see the way my case is being treated, on the other we see how other people's cases are treated."

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