PTI calls for inquiry into PML-N projects

Raises doubts over Shahbaz Sharif’s move to censure NAB

ISLAMABAD:

A day after Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said he was ready for accountability, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) jumped at the opportunity of calling for investigations into mega projects undertaken in the last six years.

“Investigation into every mega project launched during the rule of Shahbaz Sharif in last six years is a must,” said PTI Secretary Information Naeemul Haq in a statement on Saturday. He said that the projects started during the PML-N government were controversial.



On Friday, CM Shahbaz said that he never stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from accountability in Punjab, nevertheless the bureau itself was liable to accountability.

Haq said that there was something fishy about the chief minister censuring the NAB. Though the PTI has put a question mark over all the mega projects launched by Shahbaz, it did not clarify whether it would approach the NAB or not.

When asked for comments about the modus operandi in demanding accountability of mega projects, he said that the PTI would take up the matter in the assemblies.

In his statement, Haq said that it was none other than Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who challenged the NAB against action in Punjab and others are following in his footsteps. “We condemn the government’s efforts to escape accountability,” he added.

It also said that barring state institutions from doing their work through intimidation was an old tactic of the PML-N. But the PML-N leaders should face accountability for their deeds including billions spent from the national exchequer on publicity.

PTI intra-party elections

Sources told The Express Tribune that there are differences over the mode of holding the upcoming intra-party elections due to which no decision has been taken as yet. The date of polling has also not been finalised. In addition, there are complaints about registration of fake votes due to a controversial process for registration of members.  The membership campaign would continue till March 31. Afterwards, the election process would start.



When contacted for comments, PTI election commission’s spokesperson Advocate Farrukh Dal said the mode of the election has not been decided as yet. However, he said there were no differences and a decision would be taken after consultation.

The PTI had asked Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to share voters’ lists for its intra-party elections but the poll body had refused to do so saying it may tamper the lists. The matter is pending before the Supreme Court but the PTI seems to be hoping against the hope. “We are waiting for the SC decision but are hopeful,” Dal said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2016.