No Probe In Saudi Arabia Against Sharifs

The Sharif brothers’ visit to Jeddah is linked with Saudi Arabia’s desire to see Pakistan stable and strong not only for Islamabad’s own interest but also in the interest of the continuation of policies concerning bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Although, there is a lot of speculation about some possible NRO deal connected with Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to Jeddah, an informed source said the Sharifs visit is the consequence of Saudi rulers’ request and thus it has nothing to do with any deal.

When asked, the source denied that the Sharifs’ sought any help from Jeddah for a deal and insisted that the focus of the meetings has been bilateral relations. The Saudis, it is said, want the continuation of policies and see Pakistan an important partner in their vision for the region. The source said that Jeddah knows that if the next year elections are held on time, then the ruling PML-N will be again forming the government and the expected prime minister will be Shahbaz Sharif.

The source also strongly refuted the media reports about the alleged investigation of the Sharif brothers in Saudi Arabia in connection with some financial corruption, and said both the Sharif brothers are returning to Pakistan.

This correspondent talked to the source around 5:30pm on Monday who said that Sharifs’ meetings with the Saudi authorities had not concluded by then. The source said the Punjab chief minister would be flying back to Pakistan late on Monday night whereas Nawaz Sharif will return on Tuesday (today). Nawaz Sharif, the source explained, wanted to go to Madina and decided to return to Islamabad on Tuesday.

Contrary to what the source said, the opposition political parties fear that the Sharifs’ Jeddah dash was an attempt to secure an NRO through the Saudi rulers for Nawaz Sharif, who has been convicted by the Supreme Court and disqualified for life to become member of parliament or hold any public office.

Meanwhile, a report in a British newspaper claimed that Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif would escape a corruption trial and “be allowed to live in exile under a potential deal being brokered by Saudi Arabia”. The Sharif family, however, termed it “rubbish” and “wishful thinking”.

On Saturday, The Times, published from London, claimed that Nawaz Sharif “is ready to quit active politics, without facing prosecution” cases. The story suggested that Nawaz is involved in a standoff with Pakistan’s military and said Saudi Arabia “appears ready to intervene in the deadlock between the head of Pakistan’s longest ruling political dynasty and the military establishment”.

(Published in Monthly Tribute International on 01-01-2018)