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

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