ISLAMABAD– On the recommendation of Ministerial Inquiry Committee led by Minister for Information and
Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz, the Federal Cabinet on Tuesday constituted a committee headed by a former judge of the Supreme Court or High Court to investigate the Broadsheet matter, fix the
responsibility on those who had illegally benefitted themselves, and submit its report within 45 days.
Addressing a press conference flanked by Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and Minister for Human Rights Dr Shirin Mazari, members of the ministerial committee, Senator
Shibli Faraz said the committee would comprise one representative each of Federal Investigation Agency and Attorney General of Pakistan, besides a senior advocate to be nominated by the prime minister.
He said the Broadsheet verdict was based on facts about
the corruption stories of previous rulers. It contained the details of
corruption of loot and plunder committed before 2000, but another
inquiry was required to look into the wrongdoings done after 2000.
Shibli Faraz said the former rulers fully benefitted from
the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) and again went on the
looting spree of national wealth sans any remorse and shame.
The leaders of opposition parties, while in power, misappropriated
the national exchequer time and again, he said, adding they had
unfortunately gathered under the umbrella of Pakistan Democratic
Movement to seek another NRO.
The minister thanked the people of Rawalpindi and
Islamabad for staying away from the protest of Pakistan Democratic
Movement outside the office of Election Commission of Pakistan. In
fact the PDM’s protest campaign had fizzled out as the people had
rejected its narrative.
To a question, Shibli Faraz said the Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government (PTI) had not unearthed the hidden
properties of the Sharif family. The Broadsheet, an impartial asset
recovery firm which had no grudge against the Sharifs, had exposed
their hidden assets.
The inquiry committee had been mandated to share its
findings within 45 days, he added.
The minister said the government was only interested in
bringing back the looted and plundered money stashed abroad, and it
would action against the corrupt irrespective of their party
affiliations. Surrey Palace, Swiss accounts, Omni case,
fake bank accounts case, – all were on the radar of the committee, he
replied to a questioner.
The country, he said, had plunged into the quagmire of
debts due to the reckless extravagant spending of the past
governments. The NRO like concessions given to the corrupt elements in
the past had inflicted unprecedented loss to the national exchequer.
He said the PDM had noting to do with democracy as its
leaders were only interested in getting concessions on the pattern of
National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). They were still optimistic
about getting the NRO, but the incumbent government would disappoint
them.
To another question, he said Maulana Fazlur Rehman had
lost his mental balance. He had to address the empty chairs as he was
given the podium at the end of the PDM gatherings.
Rejecting the impression that the on-going accountability
process was one-sided , he said Prime Minister Imran Khan had zero
tolerance for any wrongdoer within the party or the government. As the
PM had no business interest, he would not allow a lopsided
accountability and would punish the corrupt irrespective of party
affiliations.
He recalled that the prime minister had kicked out 20
members of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for corruption in the Senate
elections. The PTI would never compromise over accountability, he
added.
Govt didn’t create any hurdle for PDM protest: Shibli
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said on Tuesday that the government
did not create any hurdles in the way of Pakistan Democratic Movement’s protest march on Tuesday (today).
In a tweet, the minister said that the flow of traffic on Islamabad’s highways was a testament to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s democratic approach.
He said that the nation has not forgotten when the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government subjected Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) workers to torture for peaceful protest.
Shibli Faraz said that the nation could never forget the Model Town tragedy during PML- N rule.
SOURCE: APP
