ISLAMABAD - Political parties across the aisle have adopted a cautious and polite approach on the Supreme Court’s directives to NAB authorities regarding the arrest of all persons including incumbent Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in the Rental Power Plants (RPPs) scam.
The central leaders of political parties in and outside the parliament were not found much strict in their views as they drew a line between accused and guilty in this case. Even opposition parties were found much soft in their choice of words about Raja Pervez Ashraf as compared to former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
“Yousuf Raza Gilani was convicted Prime Minister so we adopted a bit strict stance and same style would be adopted if Raja Pervez Ashraf is proved guilty,” said Pakistan Muslim League (N) spokesman Mushahid Ullah while talking to TheNation on Wednesday.
Against opposition parties’ normal practice to come up with strict remarks on almost every matter, he was that bit polite in this matter. Raja Pervez Ashraf is accused in this case as still he cannot be termed guilty, said Mushahid Ullah. “The process of investigation is underway,” he said adding that if Prime Minister’s name is in the list then they have to defend it.
To a question, he said that PML-N adopted strict stance against former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani as he was convicted but this case is different. “Raja Pervez is not convicted as the process is underway,” he added.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) central leader Waseem Akhtar also adopting a cautious approach in this matter, confined to comment that Muttahida’s constitutional experts are deliberating the matter. “Our constitutional experts are deliberating and still not reached on any consensus,” he added.
Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Haji Adeel was of the view that Raja Pervez Ashraf has immunity and according to the law. “The matter is still being deliberated... One thing is clear incumbent Prime Minister is still not proved guilty in this case... NAB is deliberating the matter,” the ANP leader added.
Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Riaz Fatiyana said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is looking into the matter and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has all the right of bail if he was convicted. “Prime Minister has the right of bail and still he is not convicted. There is big different between guilty and accused,” he added.
When contacted, Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaaf (PTI) central leader Shafqat Mehmood limited to utter a single sentence that all the decisions of the Supreme Court should be implemented in letter and spirit. “All decisions of Supreme Court should be implemented,” he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Liaqat Baloch commented that the Supreme Court decision should be implemented but NAB will decide about whether the arrest of Prime Minister is necessary or not. “NAB is looking into the matter to take further decision in this regard,” he added.