Dar denies reports of deal between Zardari, Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday denied reports of a deal between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari, saying had that been the case, then they would not have had to make intense efforts for extension in term of military courts.

Asked by anchorperson Hamid Mir on Geo News' program Capital Talk that the government struck a deal with Pakistan People's Party on military courts' extension but failed to convince its ally Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl, the finance minister said that extension in term of military courts was inevitable to cope with security challenges facing the country.

He said that consultations were held with all political parties, which the PPP also joined later, and a roadmap was finalised for this purpose. Had there been a deal, then such intense efforts would not have been needed, he added.

Asked about government's nod to General (R) Raheel Sharif to head the 39-nation Saudi-led Islamic military alliance, Dar said: "While formation of the Islamic military alliance was announced, [Saudi Arabia] had expressed its wish for General Raheel Sharif to head it.

"Back then, there was a conflict of interest as Sharif was still commanding the Pakistan Army."

He revealed, after Raheel Sharif's retirement as Chief of Army Staff, the Saudi government requested Pakistan "in writing" to allow the retired general for heading the military alliance.

Responding to a question about appointment of National Bank president, he said that he had recommended three names to the prime minister, out of which, the PM picked Saeed Ahmed for the post. He stressed that Ahmed's appointment was based on merit.

Explaining government's efforts for economic stability, Dar said in 2013 rumours were rife that Pakistan is on the verge of getting defaulted. "Then there were sit-ins, Panama leaks and so on.....these dramas will continue until the next election," he said.

"A few mentally ill people serve as a reason to spoil image of the country," he lamented.

Commenting on Dawn leaks, the minister said the investigations into the matter will be made public, and it would not be like Justice Hamood ur Rehman and Abbottabad commission reports.