Opposition wants JIT to probe corruption charges against Shehbaz

Says corruption of Rs1.79b has been unearthed in the metro bus project

LAHORE: Opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed demanded that the same joint investigation team (JIT), which investigated the Panamagate case, should also probe the Multan Metro Bus corruption scandal.

While addressing a press conference at Punjab Assembly, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader said the chief minister’s claim of not embezzling even of a single penny was true because he was involved in corruption worth billions.



He alleged the China Security Regulatory Commission had unmasked corruption worth Rs1.79billion in the Multan metro bus project.

He added this metro bus project was to be completed at a cost of Rs29 billion. “However, corruption of Rs1.79 billion has raised questions over the claims of the chief minister that development projects all over Punjab are being completed in a transparent manner.”

Rasheed added the front men of PML-N were involved in corruption scandals and a fair investigation should be held in the metro bus case. “An amount of 17 million dollars had been transferred by the Capital Engineering Company, which is owned by CM Shehbaz Sharif, he added. “After this, the amount was transferred to Malaysia and Dubai by the China Company.”

The opposition leader said the CM had referred the investigation to his own inspection team to protect himself.



He rejected the committee formed by Shehbaz Sharif, saying the CM should resign on an immediate basis. He also demanded the Supreme Court of Pakistan form the same JIT which looked into the Panama case.

He said if the country’s top court did not take notice of the corruption, PTI would repeatedly knock on its doors.

PTI leaders Dr Murad Rass, Sadia Sohail Rana and others were present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2017.