Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar Saturday slammed Nawaz Sharif saying that the former prime minister has a problem with state institutions and not just individuals.
Addressing a press conference along with federal minister Ali Zaidi, he said: "Mian sahib, your threats won't work now. The time for questions has passed, and now you have to answer."
The federal minister, criticising Nawaz Sharif, said: "India's narrative will not sell anymore. If you are truly brave, why couldn't you speak about Kulbhushan Jadhav. Why don't you lash out at India?" he asked.
Umar said that Nawaz had started talking about democracy after he saw failure everywhere else. The federal minister asked Nawaz Sharif why he sent his envoys for meetings, adding that Shahbaz Sharif and other PML-N leaders were asking for an NRO.
"You (Nawaz) are an indicted criminal, you do not get to ask questions."
The planning minister further said while Nawaz's supporters insist that the former prime minister only have issues with a few army officials and not the entire institution, the former premier's relationship with generals during his past three tenures had always been thorny.
Umar said that Nawaz had spoken against the army and its intelligence wing because he could not get an NRO.
"When Supreme Court disqualified you (Nawaz), you toured entire Punjab ….chanting mujhe kium nikala (why was I ousted). The army chief you were criticising was the same one (as now). But when last year, a bill was tabled for the extension of the same army chief, you told your party MNAs to vote in favour? If Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa did so much against you, why did you vote for his extension?"
Talking about Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech to the Tiger Force where he mentioned Maryam Nawaz, Asad Umar said: "Nani [grandmother) is a relationship of immense respect; has the prime minister said anything wrong?"
The federal minister also welcomed the Opposition leaders to Karachi.
Taking over the presser, Ali Zaidi said that a "new Imran Khan" has now emerged, after the Opposition's recent tactics.
The federal minister urged the Opposition parties to not drag institutions into their political speeches. "The Opposition is running a 'save our corruption campaign'," Ali Zaidi said, adding: "We will bring the law into action and bring back Nawaz Sharif."
Zaidi also criticised capt (retd) Safdar for chanting slogans in the presence of Maryam at Mazar-e-Quaid, saying: "He should apologise for such an act."
These "criminals" have "violated the sanctity of Mazar-e-Quaid", he added.