IHC, not govt, gave Nawaz relief: Firdous.

ISLAMABAD -- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Saturday said it was the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and not the government, which had granted interim bail to Nawaz Sharif in Al-Aziza Steel Mills reference on medical grounds.

'The government cannot acquit or award punishment to an accused as it is the prerogative of the courts,' she said while addressing a press conference here.

'A small section of media is trying to build a perception that Nawaz was given relief by the government which is incorrect,' she said, rejecting the rumours circulating in media about a 'deal' between the government and the opposition.

The national anti-graft watchdog was pursuing the case against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader in the court, Dr Firdous said while terming him the National Accountability Bureau's prisoner.

Says federal government has nothing to do with the Sharif case

'The government has been fully cooperating with the court in the case as its representatives appeared before the court on time, and recorded their statements in that regard,' SAPM concluded.

She said some anchors of private channels were claiming that the government could not take a clear stance in Nawaz case which was contrary to the facts. 'The Interior Minister and Attorney General of Pakistan have maintained in the court that the decision should be taken on merit,' the SAPM added.

However, Firdous said the federal government was asked to submit an affidavit in the court for giving guarantee of Nawaz's life in jail which she termed a 'very unique move' in the history of Pakistan.

'Nobody can give guarantee of anyone's life and death as it is the authority of the Almighty,' she said and questioned: 'How the federal government can be asked to take responsibility of someone's life or death.'

The special assistant said the federal government had nothing to do with the case and could not intervene in the jurisdiction of other institutions. However, the government had provided the best healthcare facilities to Nawaz Sharif, she added.

Firdous said the...