News Analysis |
A prominent leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mr. Saad Rafique has said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law is a “black law that has been used to victimize political opponents since its inception”. Mr. Rafique who is in the custody of the NAB these days appeared in the National Assembly on Friday, Dec 21, after the speaker issued production orders.
The PML-N leader who was not happy over the NAB and its investigation said that there was no purpose to keep the watchdog a part of our system. “Even the accountability during the PML-N government was not transparent,” Rafique said during his NA speech.
The NAB chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan have also maintained that there will be no compromise on the rule of law. The last government was of the PML-N and from 2008 to 2013 PPP was in power.
Moreover, he repeatedly maintained that he did not do anything wrong and the NAB had been unable to bring any evidence against him. Mr. Rafique also reminded the house that his party believed in delivery and they performed up to the mark during their last tenure.
PML-N leader also commented on the speculation of former president Asif Ali Zardari’s looming arrest and warned that the event would cause disturbance throughout the country.
Read more: NAB goes after PPP in Sindh, pledges to be tough on…
On this comment, prominent TV anchor Maria Memon posted a video on her Twitter account to remind Mr. Rafique of his past position when he was clearly alleging Mr. Zardari of corruption.
Badalta hey Rangg Aasmaa’n kaisay kaisay…. pic.twitter.com/5F5XwoDbjA
— Maria Memon (@Maria_Memon) December 21, 2018
Mr. Rafique in the video can be seen accusing Mr. Zardari of corruption. “Where did all the sugar mills get established from? Your greed has no limits; even after the corruption of billions. There is nothing in Sindh you can do without bribery,” Mr. Rafique asserted.
Mr. Rafique has taken a U-turn on the matter of corruption related to former President. It is interesting to note that when Mr. Rafique was a Federal Minister he was repeatedly letting Mr. Zardari know about his ‘deeds’ but now while facing corruption charges himself he is issuing a warning that if the former president is arrested there will be a very tough time for the PTI’s government.
PML-N leader also commented on the speculation of former president Asif Ali Zardari’s looming arrest and warned that the event would cause disturbance throughout the country.
It is also worth mentioning here that that former railway minister is allegedly a part of a case pertaining to the Paragon Housing Society scam. The NAB has been investigating the matter for last few months. The case came under limelight when the protesters came at roads to demand a fair and transparent investigation by the government into the Paragon Housing Society scam. “Our money has been looted”, protestors alleged.
In this case former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Khan Cheema, PML-N MPA Qaiser Amin Butt and opposition leader Mr. Shahbaz Sharif have already been arrested by the NAB. Recently, when the court turned down their request to extend the bail, the NAB took the PML-N lawmaker Rafique into custody.
It is generally believed that the PML-N is not at ease since the day NAB has initiated a probe into different projects and has started arresting its lawmakers. The NAB chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan have also maintained that there will be no compromise on the rule of law. The last government was of the PML-N and from 2008 to 2013 PPP was in power.
Read more: Khawaja Saad Rafique’s direct link emerges with Paragon City Society
Neither of the party tried to change or amend the NAB laws during their tenures; it’s only now when they are being probed by NAB, the body has suddenly become ‘unjust and incompetent’ for both opposition parties. As it is evident now that the anti-corruption watchdog has decided to go after corrupt lawmakers and administrators, therefore, there is criticism and protests by the opposition. This reportedly reflects the political insecurity of the opposition.