Lahore (November 13, 2018): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafique filed a petition today in the Lahore High Court against National Accountability Bureau (NAB) DG Lahore Saleem Shahzad.
In his petition, the PML-N leader stated, “DG NAB Saleem Shahzad has become a party against PML-N and his recent media interviews prove that. When he is no longer an independent person then how can the inquiries be transparent?”
“NAB DG Lahore is conducting a media trial of PML-N members and sharing confidential information pertaining to inquiries on TV channels,” the petition added.
Further, the PML-N leader requested the court to direct the NAB DG Lahore to not appear on talk shows. “All inquiries of PML-N leaders under NAB DG Lahore should be transferred,” he urged.
Earlier yesterday (November 12), Chairman NAB (retd) Justice Javed Iqbal barred all officials of the accountability watchdog from giving interviews or talks to media outlets.
“If the media channels request for information regarding any reference or case, only the bureau’s spokesperson has been authorised to share the relevant information [with them],” read the NAB statement.
Moreover, NAB chairman sought a complete record of NAB Lahore DG Shahzad Saleem’s interviews from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) “so that action could be taken in the light of the law”.
He also urged the media outlets to refrain from commenting on the ongoing investigations.
The anti-corruption body, in its press release, made it clear that it “respects all the honourable members of the Parliament”.
Previously on Friday (November 09), the NAB chairman took notice of TV interviews given by Shahzad Saleem, who opposition MNAs accused of maligning and conducting a media trial against them, and of disclosing information about sub-judice matters,
Opposition parties submitted a “question of privilege” in the National Assembly Secretariat, calling to attention to what they called a “media trial” by the DG NAB Lahore during his appearance on news channels.
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