ISLAMABAD/LAHORE, Oct 03 (INP): Shehbaz Sharif, president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday said that he has issued show-cause notice to Rana Mashhood for giving controversial statements in a TV interview.

Shehbaz was speaking to media persons outside the accountability court where he had come to visit his brother Nawaz Sharif during Al-Azizia corruption case hearing.

Denouncing the statement of Mashhood, Shehbaz dubbed the remarks as “irresponsible,” and told the media about issuing a show-cause notice to the party member.

Earlier, ousted premier Nawaz Sharif had said that Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of Rana Mashhood’s recent statement.

[timed-content-server show="10/04/2018 01:00 Asia/Karachi"]Afterwards, the former prime minister quoted a famous verse by Ghalib, “‘?h?lib’ hameñ na chhed ki phir josh-e-ashk se baithe haiñ ham tahayya-e-t?f?ñ kiye hue.” Nawaz was quick to clarify that he had not referred this verse in the context of Rana Mashhood’s statement, “I was talking about my own state in a general way.” Rana Mashhood made headlines during a TV interview in which he appeared to suggest that a key institution played a role in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) victory in the 2018 elections. During the interview, Mashhood was asked whether the civil-military tensions that had reportedly marred the tenure of the last PML-N government still existed after the end of the party’s rule. He went on to say that the situation had improved. “I think because ‘they’ have now realised that those whom they had considered horses, are not able to deliver,” he was heard in a video footage as saying. In another interview later in the day, Mashhood claimed that the PTI government in Punjab would cease to exist within the next two months or so and be replaced by his own party’s setup. Meanwhile at a joint press conference with Mashhood, PML-N leader Malik Ahmed Khan confirmed that the party had issued him a show-cause notice for his comments, and that Mashhood would also issue a more conclusive clarification on his statements soon. Mashhood, during the presser, said that his interview from Tuesday should only be commented upon by those who have actually seen it, and claimed that his remarks were taken out of context. "In that entire interview, if the word 'deal' has been used then let me know," he said. "We have always talked about the respect of the departments, parliament and the rule of law. "We have never looked for backdoors. My party has always taken a principled stance. I am saddened that my comments were twisted. The thing that wasn't there, was raised. "Neither have we been a part of any deal before nor we will allow anyone to make any deals now. I did say this though that those who were considered horses, turned out to be mules." Furthermore, Mashhood said that the remarks he had made were his own "personal take and opinion", also adding that his use of the word "establishment" was not a reference to the army. Further Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said that he has never involved in any deal. While talking to media outside Punjab Assembly, Rana Mashood said that he has always raised voice against corrupt officials. “My interview has been reported out of context,” he clarified. He also said that only those journalists can comment on the matter who have watched his full interview. Rana Mashood further stated that I haven’t specifically mentioned Pak Army anywhere in the whole interview and so it is being misinterpreted. He added that we have always represented public emotions. Mashhood's contentious remarks were also rubbished by Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, who stressed that the security establishment had no role in the July 25 general elections. "The 2018 election was 100 per cent free and fair, and the establishment had no role in it," the PTI leader said. "The establishment, in an impartial and neutral manner, has been working to strengthen and promote democracy for the last 10 years. "But what Mr Rana Mashhood did on the say-so of his leadership and the offspring of the Sharifs yesterday, it has not only hurt the sentiments of the army, establishment and patriotic elements, but has also exposed his own face." Chauhan claimed that the entire episode has made it clear that the Sharifs' slogan of vote ko izzat do (honour the vote) was actually establishment se vote lo (take vote from establishment). INP/LK[/timed-content-server]