Islamabad (November 09, 2018): Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Friday criticized a privilege motion by the opposition in the National Assembly, calling it an “attempt to influence” an ongoing investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Taking floor in the National Assembly, he said no media trial is being conducted of any politician, adding law is equal for anyone and will take its course.
Commenting on the motion submitted by the opposition against the various television interviews given by the director general of NAB Lahore, Chaudhry said, “It is not appropriate to move a privilege motion on an ongoing investigation.”
He said that the government has given unprecedented media freedom in the country.
The participants were also informed that Rs1.43 billion was spent on the construction of ex-prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s camp offices.
A written reply stating that camp office in Jati Umra continued to work after the appointment of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as PM was submitted.
The Jati Umra office used more than Rs9 million in five years while Rs5.1 million was spent by Islamabad office in two years, it added.
Earlier, the opposition on Friday submitted a privilege motion in the National Assembly against the various television interviews given by the director general of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore.
Citing a breach of the privilege of the members of the opposition in the National Assembly, the motion objects to the “media trial” of the opposition members and urges “immediate intervention” of the House.
“Mr Saleem Shehzad, DG NAB Lahore with the consent of the Chairman NAB has appeared in a TV programs of which the documentary evidence is available,” reads the motion, listing a number of TV programs which interviewed the NAB official.
“He has conducted a media trial of opposition members, attempted to influence the so-called cases against the members of the National Assembly, provided details of the matters that are sub-judice, revealed details of confidential and secret NAB documents and maligned the reputation of the members of the Parliament,” the motion states.
“This matter requires the immediate intervention of the National Assembly and should be taken today,” it adds.
DG NAB Lahore Saleem Shehzad appeared in a TV Program’ on Thursday night, where he said that the anti-corruption watchdog would file a reference against Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif by the end of this month.
The official also accused Shehbaz’s son-in-law Ali Imran of depositing official cheques in his personal account.
He said that a case registered against Punjab minister Aleem Khan was being investigated. Some documents were required from abroad in the case relating to Khan and a verdict would be announced once those documents were received, he added.
Shehzad further said that if needed in any case, Chaudhry brothers and Moonis Ilahi would be taken into custody.
Later, addressing the media alongside senior PML-N leaders in Islamabad, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi blamed National Accountability Bureau for being used to control politics.
Former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said, “It has become clear what NAB is doing.”
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“It’s pretty simple what’s happening but if I say it then a NAB case will be formed,” the PML-N leader said.
“NAB is being used to control politics,” he added.
The former premier regretted, “Today, people are being defamed which is an attempt to take political revenge.” Abbasi further said, “Only one party is being targeted and it’s name is PML-N.”
Upholding that they want accountability but not revenge, Abbasi said, “We are not scared of accountability and want the process of accountability to start from PML-N.”
“The NAB chairman should contact me and I will give him two cases to look over,”the former premier stated.
Abbasi continued, “The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly is under arrest and the DG NAB shared details of his case on television. However, there was no truth in the details he shared.”
“If NAB wants to conduct a media trial then they should make us sit with them and conduct it,” he added.
The former premier lamented, “Allegations are levelled without any evidence by NAB officials and this is truly strange.”
“Actions that were not taken by dictators are being taken by the current government,” Abbasi asserted.
Regarding reports that DG NAB Lahore holds a fake degree, Abbasi said, “If he does, then he should be held accountable.”
“We hope a suo motu notice will be taken of the issue,” the former premier said.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said that the government has given unprecedented media freedom in the country.
Taking floor in the National Assembly, he said no media trial is being conducted of any politician, adding law is equal for anyone and will take its course.
The participants were also informed that Rs1.43 billion was spent on the construction of ex-prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s camp offices.
A written reply stating that camp office in Jati Umra continued to work after the appointment of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as PM was submitted.
The Jati Umra office used more than Rs9 million in five years while Rs5.1 million was spent by Islamabad office in two years, it added.
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Privilege Motion Submitted in NA Against DG NAB Lhr Interviews
