Probing every scandal will distract from development: PM

Nawaz assures that those involved in corruption will meet their fate

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday that investigating the myriad corruption cases of the past ‘which are too many too count’ would divert the government’s focus from development.

“We will be detracted from our mission if we get into such things,” Sharif said while referring to the numerous corruption cases which have surfaced in the past. He was speaking to reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony of Metro bus service project that would link the federal capital to the New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) that is nearing its completion in Fateh Jhang. Both projects will be inaugurated on August 14.

“There are so many corruption cases that the more you try to count them, the harder it seems,” Sharif said. “But one day, those behind these cases will meet their fate,” he added. “In this country, so many cases of corruption and embezzlement need investigation – which one should be probed first?”



“Those who are criticising [the government’s projects], may Allah guide them to the right path,” Nawaz ‘prayed’ in a jibe at the opposition.

On Friday, the prime minister made what many believe is any overly exaggerated claim that ‘not even a single corruption scandal’ has surfaced during his tenure since 2013. He chose not to mention reports suggesting the involvement of government officials in the Nandipur power project scandal.

The controversial Nandipur project has lately been in the spotlight – but for all the wrong reasons. From the reports of corruption, including a huge rise in the project’s cost, to long delays in its launch, the plant lurched from one controversy to another.

The project was inaugurated in May 2014. It became fully functional in July 2015. However, in September 2015, the plant stopped functioning owing to ‘technical problems’.



The plant was made functional in October, but broke down again in November and questions were raised over the capacity and operational durability of the project. The government decided to convert the plant into gas-fired after being criticised for producing highly fuel-expensive power. It is estimated that the project cost that was Rs23 billion has soared up to Rs58 billion.

In a related case, the government has allowed former acting CEO of the PIA Bernd Hildenbrand to fly abroad despite his name been put in the Exit Control List for his alleged involvement in mega corruption.

In yet another instance, the NIIA that is to be inaugurated on August 14 this year, has seen an unusual delay of several years in its completion. When the PML-N government came to power in 2013, the revised expenditure of the airport’s PC 1 was Rs81 billion that is believed to have surpassed Rs100 billion mark now. The airport’s completion deadline has been revised multiple times amidst reports that the new airport was marked with serious discrepancies, including adequate water facilities, proper layout plan and a parallel runway.



Requesting anonymity, a PML-N leader, however defended Sharif’s claim that no corruption case has surfaced during PML-N’s present tenure. “The political statements delivered at public gatherings are for public consumption. They can’t be taken literally. The premier meant that there wasn’t a mega corruption scandal that directly involved the PML-N leadership — unlike the PPP tenure when mega corruption cases suggesting the involvement of top party leadership would hit the spotlight on a daily basis.”

Speaking to The Express Tribune, political analyst Kanwar Dilshad said the government needed to probe into the corruption cases, especially those that surfaced during PML-N’s tenure, effectively and impartially. “Otherwise, problems would keep brewing for PML-N, given the mess the government is already in — Panamagate, Dawn Leaks controversy and all that.”