Sharif family asked two countries to intervene on their behalf: PM Imran Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday evening revealed that the sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had approached two countries with a request to intervene and facilitate their father, who is currently incarcerated after being found guilty in a corruption case.

He said the two countries, which he did not name, conveyed the message but refused to intervene. “They told me that we will not interfere,” he said.

The prime minister, along with his finance adviser, Dr Hafeez Sheikh and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi, made the remarks while addressing a panel of anchors and senior journalists. The discussion was aired by ARYNewsTV on Monday evening.

“NRO will not be offered,” he said, referring to a deal similar to the national reconciliation ordinance issued by former dictator Pervez Musharraf.

“Two NROs issued by Musharraf to [PML-N’s ‘supreme leader’] Nawaz Sharif and [PPP Co-Chairman] Asif Ali Zardari destroyed the country… Later, both of them also gave NROs to each other,” he said.

The only way forward, he said, is a plea bargain. “A Plea bargain can be allowed and no foreign country can do anything in this regard. They [Sharif and Zardari] will have to pay the money,” he said.

“Give the money and go out of the country,” he said, adding that Nawaz Sharif wants to seek treatment from a foreign country and he will be allowed to do so, but after he settles with the government.

He added that Asif Zardari is “facing difficulties; he will also be let go if he pays the money”.

Further talking about facing pressure to provide some relief to the two leaders, he said: “This is the first setup where the Army is standing by the government’s agenda and manifesto. No one can escape from any quarter. No intercession is going to work in this regard.”

“I have told the law ministry that the money launderers should be sent to a common jail. Soon, legislation will be made in this regard. They [money launderers] should know how a common criminal is treated in this country,” he warned.