Govt accuses opposition of using ‘dirty’ tactics

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says PML-N behind ‘fabricated’ NAB clippings

NEWS DESK: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said government rejects the ‘filthy’ campaign against the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman, claiming that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is behind the ‘fabricated’ tapes.

“The PML-N is behind NAB chairman controversy. The party has a track record of using such dirty campaigns in the past,” Dr Firdous said on Friday while addressing a news conference in Lahore in the wake of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) press briefing.

“Opposition has been deliberately trying to involve Prime Minister [Imran Khan] in the case of NAB chairman. The opposition has been using negative ploys in a bid to raise its stature,” she added.

According to the PM’s special assistant, the corrupt elements are in the grip of law and NAB. “[Cases against] the elements who are trying to harm the interest of Pakistan will be taken to their logical conclusion,” she added, according to Radio Pakistan.

She said some people are now on the verge of a political death and they want to keep themselves alive by criticising Imran Khan, who, according to her, has a clean and unblemished character.

Talking about the recent video and audio controversy surrounding NAB chairman, she said it was a targeted campaign which was launched to discredit all the good work the graft buster did in recent past.

“However, the government stands by all state institutions including NAB,” she added.

She also denied that Taher A Khan, owner of the channel that aired the controversial tapes on Thursday, enjoyed any official status, adding that his role was a consultative and advisory one. “But once the controversial report was aired, the PM even barred him from assuming that advisory role,” she added.