No one has the right to issue a certificate of patriotism : Prime Minister Abbasi

Lahore : Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Tuesday said the statement of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Mumbai attacks was “sheer misreporting” by Indian media and those using it for political gains were in fact putting the national security at stake.

“It is unfortunate that our politicians and media are towing the line of India without verifying facts,” the Prime Minister said in response to a point of order by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi here at the National Assembly.

The Prime Minister said the meeting of National Security Committee was convened yesterday to “condemn the impression created by misreporting of the interview.”

He said Nawaz Sharif had not given a standalone statement on Mumbai attacks, rather it was an out-of-context pick by the journalist out of a lengthy interview.

“The baseless issue that arose from misreporting should now come to an end,” he said.

The Prime Minister regretted that the loyalty of a person who made this country an impregnable nuclear State was being questioned and added that “no one has the right to issue a certificate of patriotism”.

Abbasi said he was confident that the parliamentarians making fiery speeches against Nawaz Sharif had not even read the interview and were only making fuss out of nothing.

He mentioned that even General Pervaiz Musharraf, PTI chief Imran Khan, then National Security Adviser Mehmood Durrani, the DG Inter Services Intelligence and Senator Rehman Malik had given similar statements and referred to non-state actors in Mumbai attacks.

The Prime Minister said it was the long-standing policy of Pakistan not to allow use of its territory against any other country.

“The same policy existed during the tenures of Pakistan People’s Party, General Musharraf and even earlier,” he emphasized.

He said it was the responsibility of party leaders to go for a reality-check before making statements. He said those wishing to go for formation of a truth and reconciliation commission may do so, but must keep in view the national interest.