Imran appears before NAB committee

PTI chief remains mum on cabinet formation during party meeting

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan appeared before the National Accountability Bureau's combined investigation committee (CIT) today.

The accountability bureau has been investigating the use of two Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government helicopters by Imran during his visits to different parts of the province. An official told The Express Tribune that as per estimates the PTI chief used two government helicopters for at least 175 hours despite the fact that he held no government position in K-P and if these allegations are proven then he would be asked to pay amount of the damage done to the provincial exchequer.

Earlier, the PM-designate had been summoned to appear before the NAB committee prior to the elections but his lawyer appearing on his behalf, requested the date be postponed to after the elections as his client was busy in election campaigns and can appear before the committee only after July 25.



On Tuesday, the PTI chairman was visiting Peshawar in connection to his appearance before NAB as well as his meeting with the PTI MPA at a local hotel.

"Imran reached NAB's office in Hayatabad. He was questioned by the committee and asked to answer questions in written. He, as per the SOPs, was given 15 days to submit his written replay. If found satisfactory, the case would then be closed otherwise a full fledge inquiry would be launched," said an official of NAB while talking to The Express Tribune.

"He cooperated with the NAB," he said and promised to answer the questions within the given time frame," he added. It is worth mentioning here that Imran reached Hayatabad under extra ordinary security arrangements and VIP protocol as a large number of policemen had been deployed to safeguard the premises.

Party meeting

After his appearance before the NAB panel, the prime minster-in-waiting said the chief minister and cabinet would be elected on merit, while the final selection for the provincial top slot is his responsibility.

He made these remarks while addressing the party 's parliamentary members at a local hotel and directed all elected members that traditionally people came in power just for their own interest but we shall change this trend and work hard for the betterment of Pakistan.

"Accountability would be for everyone, every minister would be bound to reach their office on time and there would be no discretionary funds for anyone," Imran said in his first speech to PTI K-P chapter, since being formally named as the party's premiership nominee.

He also pledged to eliminate the discretionary funds system said that through legislation while sharing that a committee would be formed to decrease expenditures of prime minister, president and other ministers.

"Pakistan is facing a severe financial crisis while 50% of our people can't even afford meal twice a day", said the PTI chief adding that hard work is the key for human uplift and his long hard work is a clear example for everyone.

He also said the culture of lavishness would be eliminated and all public money would be spent on their welfare and developmental works.

"We shall soon change the dream of Naya Pakistan into reality", said Imran while lauding former chief minister Pervez Khattak for his work in making a K-P a model province. He also directed members elected on reserved seats to come to the assembly with high preparation as they have to play important role in provincial uplift.



The meeting was attended by all party elected MPs including Khattak, K-P assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, as well as senior ministers from the previous government.

It is pertinent to mention here that it was expected that Imran would present a name for coveted positions including the chief minister, assembly speaker and new governor but the party chairman didn't name anyone of these positions. However, party leaders maintained they would accept the chairman's final decision.