- Party asks accountability watchdog to perform duties in light of revelations made in Panama leaks
In a bid to mount more pressure on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the wake of Panama Papers leaks, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a seven-page petition with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Sharif and his family members over allegations of corruption.
PTI Central Additional Secretary General Saifullah Niazi and Secretary Information Naeemul Haq filed the reference on Monday.
The petition filed against the premier, his dependents and family members “for commission of offence of corruption” urges the NAB to “perform its duties” in the light of revelations made in the Panama leaks and other “facts” put forth by the party.
The PTI had last month filed a reference with the Election Commission of Pakistan, seeking disqualification of the prime minister.
The party has also filed a petition with the NAB, seeking reopening of a corruption case of over Rs130 billion against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
The NAB had on July 15 officially acquitted Ishaq Dar and closed investigation of the case which was opened in 2000.
The petition brought against Prime Minister Sharif also mentions Dar and his “admitted transgressions”.
It also draws NAB’s attention to a BBC report confirming purchase of properties in Park Lane and Raymond Baker’s book charging Nawaz Sharif with millions of dollars of corruption whose allegations were never contested and never charged for defamation by the Sharifs.
Earlier on Monday, PTI leaders Saifullah Niazi Naeemul Haq, Amir Kiyani and Ali Awan led a protest rally outside the NAB headquarters.
Speaking to the protesters, Niazi urged the accountability watchdog to bring the culprits to book instead of giving them a clean chit.
He demanded the NAB conduct an impartial and free inquiry, saying it should take all mega corruption scams to their logical end.
“Poverty, unemployment and inflation cannot be reined in until the NAB performed its duty in an impartial manner,” he said, questioning how Pakistan would make progress when the country was robbed of Rs 1,200 crore daily.
The party has already announced plans to launch a nationwide anti-corruption movement from August 7 in a bid to force Nawaz Sharif to resign as the prime minister.
Earlier, PTI’s protest rally outside the NAB headquarters turned into a massive brawl as its activists manhandled the media personnel.
Shortly after the incident, PTI Chairman Imran Khan apologised, and said the party would investigate the matter and take action against those found responsible.
