Sharif terms NSC stance on 26/11 'regrettable and painful'

Islamabad [Pakistan], May 15 (ANI): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the National Security Committee's (NSC) stance on his remarks related to the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai was regrettable and painful.

Addressing media a day after the NSC meeting at the Prime Minister's House, said that the statement coming from the NSC was in complete contrast to the stance taken by leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), including Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

"I reject NSC's May 14 statement as it is based on misperception. I am not an ordinary citizen but a three-time prime minister elected by the people of Pakistan, hence, I am privy to realities," Sharif was quoted by the Express Tribune, as saying.

He further asked, "What have we turned this country into? Who introduced terrorism to this beautiful country?"

On the formation of a national commission, Sharif asked, "Who led Pakistan towards isolation and has brought the country to a stage where the international community is not ready to accept Pakistan's narrative. The national commission should be tasked to find the cause of these issues."

It may be recalled that on May 12, during an interview with the Dawn, Sharif had stated that "Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial?"

"We have isolated ourselves. Despite giving sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan's narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it," he added.

His remarks were immediately picked up by Indian media, which termed the former prime minister's statement as a confession of Pakistan's role in the Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI