NICL scam: Gilani says he has immunity, cannot be arrested

Ex-PM says 4,008 people took advantage of the NRO but no one got punished.

MULTAN: Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday claimed that he has immunity and no one can arrest him, in relation to the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam.

Speaking to the media in Multan, Gilani said that he gave up his prime ministerial position for the sake of the president’s immunity and now the section one of Article 248 of the Constitution gives him immunity.

“I’ll see how anyone arrests me... The NAB [National Accountability Bureau] chairman is himself summoned, how can he summon me?” Gilani questioned.

Commenting on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, Gilani said that 4,008 people took advantage of the ordinance but none of them faced consequences. “The only people being punished in the case were those who were not related to the case... I don’t believe in this form of justice.”

Gilani was ordered to appear before the NAB joint investigation team in relation of the NICL scam. The former premier was accused of making the alleged illegal transfer of the investigation officer in the scandal.

Later during the day, Gilani’s lawyer appeared before the NAB investigation team and said that he would answer on behalf of the former premier since he has the power of attorney.