The Rediff Interview/Nawaz Sharief
'Those who have fleeced the country most should be punished'
You have waged a war against corruption and have issued
statements that people guilty of crime or adulteration
would publicly hanged. But the public alleges that the bigger
fish is escaping the net.
It is not true. We will try and are trying establish the truth about anyone.
The question of knowingly
shielding anyone does not arise. No system can succeed without
accountability. We have to enforce it. What we are trying to
ensure is to at least get the money back from those who have
fleeced the country most. They should be punished. So
that others also learn a lesson from it and we can
progress.
But what about the PPP's allegation that big businessmen
who have indulged in massive tax evasion are not being touched?
No, it is not so. The names of the industrialists are appearing
daily in the papers. In fact we can provide information regarding
this to you, if you require it.
When we took charge, the economic condition
was very bad. Who is responsible for this? Benazir should acknowledge
that the country on the verge of bankruptcy during that time.
We have rescued it. This situation is the outcome
of what happened in the last three years and now these are
proving hindrances to us.
After I took office, the shattered confidence of the business community
has been restored. This by itself in a big achievement.
You have opened a new chapter of economic reforms after resuming
office as prime minister. Has it started showing some results?
The results will be evident in the next 18 to 24 months. It
is a good package and if it is successful we shall bring in some
more reforms. During my last tenure as prime minister
I had introduced an economic reform package which was very successful.
When Benazirsahiba was in power its implementation
was stopped. For three years not only was it stopped but was put
in reverse gear. It is because of this that the economic condition of Pakistan
became very weak. I have a feeling that the situation will improve
greatly in the next 4 or 6 months.
Benazir Bhutto has alleged that the Nawaz Sharief government
is working with political vindictiveness and that its one point programme
is how to keep her husband Asif Zardari in jail.
There is nothing like this nor are we indulging in political
victimisation. I had started earlier that there will not be a
trace of vendetta even in our accountability. But no one can deny
that accountability has to be there.
Both you and Benazir Bhutto agreed on one point -- that the presidential
powers should be curbed. You have passed legislation to do this in the national assembly. Don't you think this will make the prime minister very powerful?
India has parliamentary democracy in the true sense. So if
parliamentary democracy can be strengthened in Pakistan, it should
be done. Why not? The one who has the mandate, I believe, should
have the powers as well.
Don't you feel that if there are more cricket matches between
India and Pakistan, it will help in generating goodwill in place of the tension that
always prevails?
Definitely. Only the frequency should not be such as to make
people lose interest. Sometimes Mr Gujral may come here to
witness a Test or one day match, and maybe I also get
the same opportunity in India. Maybe I get to play there as well.
(Laughs).
Do you know I have played first class cricket in Pakistan?
There was a polo ground made here (the prime minister's residence) by the former PM's husband. I have laid turf here at my own expense. We play cricket on that turf. Since we have hills surrounding it, hitting fours and and sixers is
really fun! (Laughs).
Translated by Sudershna Dwivedi
Tell us what you think of this interview
|