Nawaz sharif: Rehman Malik in the ring

Rehman Malik did his best to heat up an unseasonably chilly London in May, yesterday. “Mian Nawaz Sharif is playing into someone else’s hands. He has gone from Nawaz Sharif to Baby Nawaz Sharif. His desire to become third time PM has meant a departure from his principles and senses. Someone has whispered in his ear that if he pushes for early elections, Imran Khan will not be ready quickly enough and he will win. They’re wrong and he should know it. The way he is behaving does not become a two-time Prime Minister, it is childish. He should act mature. If he cannot, there are pills available, he should take them.” The Interior Minister was optimistic about the future of the PPP in the upcoming elections, “If we have a five year mandate, let the government complete its tenure. Democracy is difficult to come by. Inshallah, if Mian Nawaz Sharif keeps going in this direction, the next elected government will also be the PPP’s.” Mr Malik produced copies of a letter, dated 9th May, 2012, to Mr Tim Tyler, Head of NCB, Serious Organized Crime Agency, Interpol. The letter refers to a judgment of the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, on March 18, 1999. Which, it mentions, has directed Mian Muhammad Abbas Sharif “and others” to pay $32 million to M/S Al Towfeek Company for Investment Funds (Ltd), for being personal guarantors for repayment of a lease amount, on behalf of Hudabiya Paper Mills (Ltd). The properties of 16 Avenfield House, 117-128 Park Lane, 16-A Avenfield House, 117-128 Park Lane, 17 Avenfield House, 117-128 Park Lane and 17-A Avenfield House, 117-128 Park Lane, through a subsequent judgement dated November, 5, 1999, were kept in lien, until the payment was made. Payment was eventually made, as directed by the court, and the aforementioned properties released. The letter to the Head of NCB ends with a request for the “money trial” of how this payment was received by Al Towfeek, whether any tax was paid on it and the declaration/certificate of the concerned lawyer who handled the transation. The letter alludes to an attachment, presumably sent with the original, which is a copy of the BBC documentary, titled Pakistan to Park Lane (via Ilford). A copy of the letter has also been sent to Mr Ronald Nobel, Secretary General Interpol, Lyon, France; with a request to “supply available information on this transaction worldwide and the Banking Record as any transaction over US $ 10,000 has to be logged and declared.” Mr Malik added, “They keep harping on about bringing money back to Pakistan. Well, why don’t they start? Bring back the $32 million. I am standing in London saying this, bring defamation charges against me if I am wrong. Take me to court, I am not afraid. If you cannot afford a lawyer, I will pay the expenses. Every fortnight, I will unveil another corruption scam of the Sharif Brothers. To you, Mian Sahiban, I say, your corruption must be exposed to the world.” To a question as to why this investigation was only being unveiled now, the Minister explained, “It was a very thorough investigation. It took 4 years to do.” He again challenged the Mian brothers to a debate, “on any forum, in front of all the anchors”. Still fixated on the Opposition, he criticised them for saying, “Yes, sir. Yes, sir.” to US officials in private and speaking against them in public. He pointed out alleged links to Lashkar I Jhangvi and Sipah Sahaba, saying that the PML N was maintaining ties with anti-Pakistan elements. “The PMLN wants elections announced before the PM files an appeal. Mian Nawaz Sharif, in one thing, I have to say, is excellent. He has the best lawyers. MashAllah, how your lawyers manage stays for 4 years running now, I am in awe. I need one of these lawyers, I will have to take one away from you, by paying them a higher fee. Why does Mian Nawaz deny to the Prime Minister what he took advantage of when returning from exile? The same exile, when he took his whole family, 40 suitcases, even his cook - and forgot his party workers languishing in jail.” Reacting to Mian Nawaz Sharif’s statement with Mumtaz Bhutto, he lamented, “Mumtaz Bhutto was one of those who was anti-Pakistan. He would not allow cheering for Pakistan, when the Pakistan Movement was underway. It seems Mian Nawaz Sharif will go to any corner of the wilderness, if there is an anti-PPP voice coming from it.” In a calibrated and beautifully timed mistake, Mr Malik remarked, “Chakri, Chaudhry Nisar - sorry, I meant from the village Chakri. I don’t want you to think I am calling him Chakri...bent his head and took oath from a dictator: Musharraf. The same dictator who they said they would not participate in elections under. The same Musharraf under whom, they said, if anyone was willing to be elected, he was a traitor. If they had that much moral courage, they would not have been bowing before General Musharraf, taking oaths.”