ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif is chairing the first meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today.
Shehbaz, who is in the custody of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), was elected as PAC chairman unopposed on December 21. He was issued with a production order to attend the meeting by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser a day ago.
The former chief minister is briefing PAC members about the working of the committee, what they have done in the past, and what remains to be done.
Head of NAB, Federal Investigation Agency and other institutions are also in attendance. The auditor general of Pakistan is briefing the committee.
Speaking to media at the Parliament House earlier, Shehbaz expressed concern at the political situation in the country. “Accountability has nothing to do with [what’s happening], this is injustice and transgression,” he said.
“We respect the judiciary but disagree with NAB court’s decision,” the PML-N leader added.
The second session of the committee will be held on Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1.
Earlier this month, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government conceded the chairmanship of PAC to Shehbaz, almost three months after a stalemate over the key position.
The PTI government had long stuck to its stance that the opposition should come up with any name other than Shehbaz’s for the chairmanship as he is accused in the Ashiana Housing scandal, but the opposition was of the view that past traditions of the National Assembly should be honoured.
