Ahsan Iqbal: NAB verdict will not affect Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: In an appearance on HUM News programme Upfront with Mona Alam, senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal expressed his belief that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is no longer facing significant legal challenges following a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) verdict.

Iqbal asserted that the legal cases initiated against Sharif in 2017 were part of a conspiracy, and individuals involved in this conspiracy have, over time, revealed the truth behind their actions.

He emphasised that the entire nation now understands that in 2017, for the purpose of regime change, various members of the judiciary, including figures like Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa, as well as military leaders like General Bajwa and General Faiz, “concocted stories” to undermine Nawaz Sharif’s government, which subsequently had a detrimental impact on the economy.

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Meanwhile, Iqbal contended that these individuals played a significant role in bringing an “incompetent leader” to power, alluding to the Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He further stressed that Nawaz Sharif has the right to engage in political activities for his party, just like any other political entity. PML-N consistently advocates for competitive politics, where despite differences, all parties collaborate in the national interest.

Responding to a query from host Mona regarding why PML-N did not abolish NAB during its return to power, Iqbal explained that NAB laws are related to accountability.

Ahsan Iqbal said that ending NAB through a simple majority in 2013 might have raised suspicions of attempting to conceal alleged corruption. Therefore, a consensus was reached to draft a law that included input from the opposition. However, this consensus unraveled after the Panama cases concluded.