Islamabad (December 13, 2018): Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the gesture of government, saying heading the Public Accounts Committee has been a tradition in the tenure of last two and three governments.
“This step will promote democratic norms and traditions and further solidify the institution of parliament,” he told the National assembly.
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He also thanked all members who gave support to him on this issue. Shehbaz Sharif criticized the role of NAB and said it is a common sense that accountability process by the Bureau is highly selective.
NAB is unable to prove any accusation against me so far, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that he was summoned in Saaf Paani case but implicated in Ashiana Housing Scheme. He said the Bureau has so far failed to provide any incriminating evidence against him.
Appreciating the decision of appointment of the Leader of the Opposition as Chairman Public Accounts Committee, former Speaker National Assembly and PML-N’s leader Ayaz Sadiq said role of treasury members is appreciable for resolving the source of impasse in parliament.
He also thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for reviewing his position on the issue. Ayaz Sadiq said that we must call a spade and spade. He said Public Accounts Committee only discusses the audit paras and it is not NAB, FIA or any other investigation agency.
He said government enjoys majority in Public Accounts Committee and its chairman has only one vote.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said Shahbaz Sharif had a clear stance that he will not chair the meeting in which the audit paras of previous government are discussed.
He hoped that committees will be formed soon in order to compensate the loss of delay.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed the National Assembly that Prime Minister Imran Khan has conceded in the larger interest of democracy and parliamentary norms that the opposition can choose the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
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He said the government with an open heart leaves this decision to Leader of the Opposition to nominate a person of his choice. But, if he deems himself appropriate for this role, then government will not have any objection on it.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the constitution of House committees is a very important matter for parliament to function effectively. He said the matter is still stuck on the issue of appointment of Leader of the Opposition as Chairman Public Accounts Committee.
Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif is embroiled in cases of National Accountability Bureau and the cases were not filed by this government. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said despite this we have made every effort to resolve this impasse.
Earlier in the day, Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed matters pertaining to legislation and constituting standing committees in the Lower House.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak were also present in the meeting.
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