Seems like govt 'prepared to recognise Israel as a state', Maryam Nawaz claims

• Maryam asks why government has not issued a denial.
• "I am not needed at places where Shahbaz Sharif is in attendance," says Maryam.
  
• Tahir Ashrafi says PM Imran Khan's stance "is clear"; "relations with Israel cannot be considered till Palestine is independent"

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said that it "seems like the government is prepared to recognise Israel as a state".

The PML-N vice-president, addressing a press conference in Islamabad, said that if this is contrary to the truth, then "why hasn't the government issued a denial?"

"If you have taken a decision, then inform the people about it, as this is not a personal decision for you alone to make," Maryam said to the government, stressing that the nation be taken into confidence in the matter.

Responding to a question, the PML-N leader expressed anger and rejected speculations of her striking a deal with the government. "ّWhy do you people always ask about deals in everything?"

"Why would we strike a deal with those whom we are against. Are we crazy that we would strike a deal with those people?" Maryam asked.

Speaking of the July 25 elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, she said that "the party has given me the responsibility to run the election campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir".

I am not needed at places or events where PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif is in attendance, she said. It may be noted that Maryam was not present at the Pakistan Democratic Movement's anti-government rally in Swat held two days earlier.

"PML-N is in a strong position in Azad Kashmir, and if transparent elections are held, then there is no doubt that the PML-N will win there," Maryam said.

The PML-N vice president further said that the entire PTI "is at loggerheads with each other".

"If the elections are held, their situation will be plain for all to see. This government will not come again when it leaves," she said.

Maryam said that the choice must always remain with the people, when it comes to electing the country's leadership. "In the case of Imran Khan, the nation has seen the result of such a choice," she added.

'Relations with Israel cannot be considered until Palestinian is independent'

Responding to Maryam's statement Special Representative of the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi,  in a video statement, said that the premier's stance on Israel "is clear".

He went on to state that the world is appreciative of the stance of the government, nation and state of Pakistan over Israel.

Ashrafi said that the Palestinian president has termed PM Imran Khan's position on the matter the act of a "brave man".

"While politicising national commonalities, we must stay in touch with reality," he said.

"The prime minister's stance is that relations with Israel cannot be considered till Palestine becomes an independent state," Ashrafi said.

IHC adjourns Maryam, Capt Safdar's appeals till July 15

Prior to Maryam's conversation with the media, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) adjourned the hearing of appeals against the imprisonment sentences of the PML-N vice president and her husband Capt Safdar Awan, in the Avenfield Apartments reference till July 15.

The IHC bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani heard the appeals. Maryam appeared in person before the court.

During the course of proceedings, Justice Farooq observed that the court would fix the appeals for hearing once or twice a week.

The petitioners’ lawyer Amjad Pervaiz prayed to the court to grant three weeks for arguments in the case as he had suffered from COVID-19. Justice Farooq remarked that the court could make sitting arrangements for the lawyer to give arguments. The lawyer, however, said he was still facing health problems and needed more time.

Justice Farooq observed that the court could not further delay the case, to which the lawyer said he needed time to prepare arguments as he would also present some cases references before the bench.

The judge said if the petitioner's lawyer was not ready for arguments then this court could hear arguments from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi.

The court also separated appeals of NAB and the accused for further hearing and adjourned the case till July 15.

The same bench also adjourned the hearing on NAB’s appeals against the acquittal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship Investment reference and seeking increase in his sentence in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case, till July 28.