ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on
Saturday the Panama Papers issue was nothing but a foreign conspiracy to hamper
development process in the country.
Panama
(Papers) was a sponsored foreign conspiracy with Pakistan being the target,
Saad said, adding that some elements did not want to see a prosperous and
powerful Pakistan.
Taking
to media persons outside the Supreme Court, he said, “We want to lead the
country to the path of development but the opposition is pulling it backwards
by maligning the prime minister.”
He
said why he should tender apology when didn’t commit any contempt of court. “I
should tender apology for what. I have not committed any contempt of court and
had only presented my stance,” he said.
The
federal minister said the court had asked for the transcript of the speeches
delivered during the JIT probe but he didn’t receive any notice on the issue.
Those
comparing Pakistan with Iceland lived in a fool’s paradise, he remarked, adding
that Pakistan was a nuclear power which was causing discomfort to many
countries.
He
said Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid and Aitzaz Ahsan had become fictitious
spokespersons of the apex court and there was no problem in filing the content
of their speeches as well before the court which could seek the content.
The
federal minister said the PML-N would submit its reservations about the JIT
report before the court, for which the ruling party's legal team was currently
examining the document.
“Tell
me! What kind of corruption has been committed,” he questioned and said the
politics of allegations was not serving national interests in any manner and no
one would be the winner if the practice wasn’t stopped.
"We
are engaged in conspiring against each other which is serving the interests of
enemies of Pakistan," he said, adding that everyone would be among losers
because of the practice.
“Let
us do politics on the basis of performance, instead on the basis of just
allegations", he said.
He
said, “Some people think that politicians are only thieves. We have made
politics a mixture of so many things that it is damaging our country’s image.”
Replying
to a question, Saad said Imran was an inexperienced politician, adding that he
and his supporters should think about their behaviour.
And
in Lahore, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said baseless allegations had
been levelled against the honest and selfless leadership of the prime minister
who had set highest standards of transparency in development projects.
Shahbaz
said the rejected political elements were proving an impediment in the way to
progress for their lust of power and wanted to take revenge of their defeat;
however, those trying to create uncertainty in the country for personal
interest and to enter the power corridors through backdoor would never succeed
in their designs.
Those
resorting to theatrics for the sake of power should change their attitude, he
added.
Shahbaz
said the nation would always remember the prime minister’s historic role in
overcoming the energy crisis and not forgive those who hampered progress
through negative attitude and role.
Talking
to a party delegation led by MNA Rao Ajmal who, Shahbaz said the mandate given
by the public to the PML-N had been honoured.
He
added that the fear and anxiety was increasing among the opponents of public
prosperity and some political elements deprived of public service were trying
to spread unrest in the country. The politics of anarchy, differences and
allegations was a poison to the development and progress of the country, the
chief minister noted.
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