ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the government to release all the party workers who were arrested and said that no cases should be filed against them.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a news conference after appearing before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday.
“I am not worried or concerned. I am happy to present myself for a free and fair investigation in accordance with the rule of law, unfortunately, what we have seen in the last six months is a manipulation, undermining and disregard for how rule of law should function,” Bilawal told reporters.
The PPP chairman started the news conference by condemning the highhanded, dictatorial and brutal actions of the government. “I would like to salute the workers of PPP for their bravery, resilience.”
Bilawal stressed that he had not given a protest call nor had he requested anyone to be present at NAB. “I received the NAB notice on Monday and did not have time to plan anything.”
Bilawal said he did not think this was a NAB case as it concerned private transactions and not public money. “The banking court was the appropriate forum. It is unfortunate NAB is used like this. NAB was made during Musharraf era for political engineering.”
The PPP chairman said his party was unable to bring an end to the black NAB law and bring a new system for across the board accountability.
“This is a bipartisan issue. Unfortunately, we have not been able to capitalize on that,” the PPP chairman said on amending NAB laws.
Speaking on the issue of terrorism, Bilawal said he had been demanding the formation of a national security committee, steps against banned organisations and the sacking of three ministers associated with banned organisations. He added that no one would take the government seriously until they did this, nor would anyone believe the National Action Plan was being implemented.
He stressed that a message was being sent that the government doesn’t tolerate constructive criticism. “I am warning that if they continue to suppress dissent they will be responsible for the consequences.”
Bilawal said NAB officers conducted themselves in a very professional manner and were doing what they were told. “They only questioned me for five minutes and then gave a questionnaire.”
