ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: Nawaz Sharif, who was acclaimed about three weeks ago as the most powerful Prime Minister Pakistan has had in the past 50 years, is facing new charges every day, the latest being that he has been receiving funds from Israel since the year he became the Chief Minister of Punjab.Sharif became the Chief Minister of Punjab in 1985 and then again in 1988 when Benazir Bhutto took over as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Former chairman of Prime Minister's inspection commission Naveed Malik has alleged that Sharif has been enormously funded by Israel.
In 1989, when Sharif's supporters in the National assembly tried to bring a motion of no-confidence against Bhutto Israel had funded him. According to Malik Israel wanted to destabilise Bhutto's government, but he does not say why.
Malik claimed, according to The Frontier Post of Peshawar, that Sharif was heaped with precious gifts from Israel. He said an Israeli ship, seized in 1990, was found loaded with shredder steel scrap and other
forbidden material. These things came from a Mossad agent from New York to Sharif, he alleged.
Malik has also alleged that Sharif's brother Shahbaz Shaif (Chief Minister of Punjab) met Israel agents on the pretext of visiting the United States.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
