Former premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday rejected the condemnation of his controversial remarks on the 2008 Mumbai attacks by Pakistan’s top civil-military body, saying the leadership should instead look at the impact of terrorism on the country.

Sharif’s remarks questioning the policy of using Pakistanbased terrorists for cross-border attacks such as the assault on India’s financial hub, made during an interview with Dawn, stirred a hornet’s nest. On Monday, the National Security Committee condemned the comments and described them as “incorrect and misleading”.

Speaking to reporters outside an anti-corruption court in Islamabad, Sharif described the stance adopted by the NSC as “painful and regrettable” because it was “not based on facts”.

He said, “I reject the NSC’S May 14 statement as it is based on misperception…i am not an ordinary citizen but a three-time prime minister elected by the people of Pakistan. Hence, I am privy to realities.”

He said it was time the country knew who was responsible for the current state of affairs. “What have we turned this country into? Who introduced terrorism to this beautiful country?” he said.

Against the backdrop of allegations by the opposition that he had gone against the country’s interests, Sharif demanded the formation of a national commission to decide who had committed treason. “A decision should be made about who is a patriot and who is a traitor…we should find out who laid the foundation of terrorism in the country,” he said.

Shortly after Sharif spoke to the media, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi defended the ousted premier’s comments in the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament. Abbasi said the PML-N chief’s comments were “misreported” and “misinterpreted”.

Imtiaz Ahmad letters@hindustantimes.com

Courtesy: Hindustan times -16 May 2018