Whimsical jehad not useful: Kulsoom

By Amit Baruah

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 19. Emerging PML(N) leader and wife of the ousted Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, has said that ``whimsical jehad was not lawful''.

In quotes published in the Jang newspaper today, Begum Sharif said: ``When was the jehad in Kashmir announced? Whenever it is announced, I will send both my sons for jehad.''

Her comments are at complete variance with the remarks made by the Pakistani Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, that the centre of jehad had shifted from Afghanistan to Kashmir.

Begum Nawaz was quoted as saying that the November 1997 attack on the Supreme Court by PML(N) goons was a ``mistake''. If correct, this is the first time ever that a member of the Sharif family has made such a statement.

She maintained that the Army's involvement in politics was not correct and conceded that both Lt. Gen. Khwaja Ziauddin, former ISI chief, and Lt. Gen. Tariq Pervez, former Peshawar Corps Commander, had committed mistakes.

According to her, Mian Mohammed Sharif (her father-in- law) felt that Mr. Nawaz Sharif should face his predicament boldly.

She said the impression that Mr. Nawaz Sharif always acted under the advice of Mian Sharif (or `Abbaji' as he is known) was wrong. Also, there were no differences in the Sharif family.

Begum Sharif stated that hearing the judge reading out the sentence against her husband on April 6 was the toughest day in her life.

In other remarks attributed to her in The News today, the Begum said that the President, Mr. Rafiq Tarar, seemed to be under ``house arrest''.

She denied having any formal or informal contacts with the Army leadership. ``They are not kind enough to even think good (things) for the country and we come after the country.''

Begum Sharif said she had a busy schedule of addressing public meetings and workers' conventions. ``I fail to understand why the people in power are not ready to allow peaceful demonstrations. The day a thin gathering assembles at a place, it is invaded by the troops as if an enemy has attacked.''

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