News Analysis |
In a latest development, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has termed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as the “Bureau of political engineering” as he lashed out at the corruption watchdog for “dragging” him in Benami (fake) accounts case. The PPP chairman was addressing a press conference, where he was accompanied by senior party leaders such as former chief minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah. Bilawal slammed the anti-corruption watchdog to a great deal during his presser.
As a matter of fact, Bilawal was reacting to the transfer of the fake accounts case to Rawalpindi from Karachi. “The transfer of the case is a violation of jurisdiction,” said Bilawal Bhutto, adding that NAB should also hold its officials accountable for their actions. He questioned, “In the case, the FIR, accused, accounts, transactions, companies, banks etc. all are in Sindh… What is in Rawalpindi?” said Bilawal. The FIA is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts, including Bilawal’s father and former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.
In the present scenario, PPP wants the cases to be dealt with in Sindh where it is in power. The NAB, on the other hand, has smelled the situation and is, therefore, requesting the court to transfer the case from Sindh to Rawalpindi.
Bilawal was unhappy on a request made by the NAB chairman seeking the transfer of the fake bank accounts case against Pakistan Peoples’ Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and others to the accountability court of Rawalpindi for trial.
During the last hearing, the NAB prosecutor maintained in the court that the corruption watchdog’s chairman had approved the transfer of the said case in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order. The court has reserved the verdict.
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PPP chairman also warned that the probe authority should refrain from political engineering. He disclosed that the party leaders are being dragged in the benami accounts case. “Even if an angel is made the chairman of NAB, he will do political engineering.” As a matter of fact, this is not for the first time that the NAB has been accused of political engineering. A few days ago, analysts said, “Shahbaz Sharif released. There’s no case against him, to begin with. No corruption. NAB arrested him for political engineering, the court established there’s no evidence against him. There was no case against Qamarul Islam but he was jailed to rig ejections in his constituency”
Shahbaz Sharif released. There’s no case against him to begin with. No corruption. NAB arrested him for political engineering, court established there’s no evidence against him. There was no case against Qamarul Islam but he was jailed to rig ejections in his constituency pic.twitter.com/6t9PigSY0D
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) February 14, 2019
A senior leader of PTI and Federal Minister for Information Mr. Fawad Chaudhary responded to the chairman of PPP. Federal Minister made it clear that his government did not want enmity with anyone. “Imran Khan doesn’t have a personal enmity with Nawaz and Zardari.
It is worth noting here that the UN Security Council was set to take up a proposal to sanction Masood Azhar, chief of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), as a designated “terrorist”.
They have laundered billions of rupees and when asked to return it they allege that they are being politically victimized,” he argued. In the present scenario, PPP wants the cases to be dealt with in Sindh where it is in power. The NAB, on the other hand, has smelled the situation and is, therefore, requesting the court to transfer the case from Sindh to Rawalpindi.
Bilawal on Banned Organizations
Journalists asked the PPP chairman about the presence of the banned organizations in Pakistan. He alleged that there are at least three Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ministers in the Cabinet, who have links to banned organizations. “I will be forced to take their names if the government does not take action against them. At least three PTI ministers have a record and history when it comes to banned organizations,” he said.
He further alleged that these ministers believe to this day that if one speaks against these organizations and terrorism, they are giving a statement against the country. Moreover, PPP chairman also pointed out that it is hard to believe that the National Action Plan is being implemented until these ministers, with such mentality, are present in the cabinet. “These individuals must be immediately removed from Imran Khan’s cabinet. So, the opposition may believe that serious action is being considered against banned organizations,” he said.
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Recently, PM Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwar and Federal Minister for Information Mr. Fawad Chaudhary have reaffirmed that they will take all possible measures to ensure the implementation of the NAP. Several members of the banned outfits have been arrested and religious seminaries taken under control of the government as a result of the latest crackdown against militant outfits in Pakistan.
However, analysts in Pakistan raise questions about the timing of PPP chairman’s press conference. It is worth noting here that the UN Security Council was set to take up a proposal to sanction Masood Azhar, chief of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), as a designated “terrorist”. The Security Council voted on Wednesday where China demanded more time to deliberate on the matter.
Read more: “Bilwal is a child” says Fawad Chaudhary
Prominent anchorperson Dr. Moeed Pirzada said, “When Bilawal Bhutto was doing his press conference, many were surprised on his timings, but did not realize that he timed it with vote in UNSC Sanctions Committee; now most feel that he has exposed himself very badly, he now needs to change his advisors, they are destroying him”
When Bilawal Bhutto was doing his press conference, many were surprised on his timings, but did not realize that he timed it with vote in UNSC Sanctions Committee; now most feel that he has exposed himself very badly, he now needs to change his advisors, they are destroying him
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) March 13, 2019