Inquiry into PML-N leader’s remarks hushed up?

Committee formed into Rana Mashud’s case yet to find time to proceed with investigation

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) does not intend to hold any inquiry into disgruntled PML-N leader Rana Mashud’s remarks pertaining to party President Shehbaz Sharif striking a deal with the establishment.

The purpose of ordering an inquiry was to give a message to Mashud loud and clear. There was no point to drag this controversy as the matter has been quietly pushed under the rug.

In a TV interview, former Punjab minister Mashud claimed PML-N President Shehbaz had struck an understanding with the establishment, suggesting that his efforts did much to ameliorate the situation for the party. “The party that won the election was being considered as a horse (but it) turned out to be a mule,” he had claimed.

To quell the impression, PML-N quickly responded by rejecting Mashud's claims and suspending his membership. A three member committee was also formed by Shehbaz on Oct 3 headed by PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, and was instructed to submit its report in two weeks.

Many leaders even back then believed that two weeks’ time given by Shehbaz was to only hush up the matter. It was then disclosed that the inquiry could have been completed in three days. They claimed that two weeks’ time was given so people could forget about this episode.

Responding to the claims of hushing up the matter former law minister Rana Sanaullah while talking to The Express Tribune claimed that media should not jump to conclusions and wait for the report to be submitted in the given time period.

He claimed if the situation does not clear up in two weeks only then it would be right to make any assumptions. Surprisingly despite the passage of over one month no report has been submitted before the party leadership, casting a shadow of doubt over the party’s seriousness in holding the inquiry.

Haq, talking to The Express Tribune on Nov 4, claimed that they have demanded more time from party leadership for holding this inquiry. He said that party has been busy with other issues, and did not find time to hold an inquiry into the matter.

Whereas on Nov 11, he said that they have yet not found time to start this inquiry.

On the other hand, party spokesperson claimed that “the inquiry team has conducted a few meetings and is in the process of collecting evidence and statements.”