*ISLAMABAD: *Former interior minister and senior leader of the ruling PML-NChaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has claimed that he was against the inclusion ofarmed forces officials in the JIT that investigated the Panama Papers casesagainst former premier Mian Nawaz Sharif.
During a talk with leading Daily on Tuesday, he said when JIT was beingformed, he had asked Sharif to meet with the army chief to discuss theformation of the JIT and ask him to withdraw army officers from the team.
However, he said this meeting never went ahead despite the former premiervoicing his agreement with Nisar.
He said this basic mistake allowed a lot of controversies to be generatedlater. “JITs are formed and cases are heard as a routine matter, but thisbasic decision actually worsened the situation and institutions are headingnow towards a clash,” Nisar stated.
“It is said that a stitch in time saves nine. A stitch at that time wouldhave helped keep the situation from becoming what it is at the moment,” hestated.
Nisar also said that it was his strong opinion that Sharif, as PM, shouldnot appear before the JIT. “I was of the view that he should address thenation and clarify that as a common citizen, he is accountable to any courtof Pakistan, but as the PM his appearance before grade-19 and 20 officersis an affront to the authority and dignity of his office,” Khan furtherstated. He said contrary to his suggestion, Sharif decided to appear beforethe JIT.
Nisar also said that there is no option available other than holdingelections on time. He said Pakistan is already facing a number of issuesand if there is a delay in the elections, problems would multiply. “I don’trule out a minor delay in the process due to legal or administrativeissues, but no other option is available other than to hold the elections,”he stated.