PML-N demands NAB chief's resignation

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders accuse anti-graft watchdog of political vengeance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has demanded the resignation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, alleging that the anti-graft watchdog was being used to suppress politicians in the country under his chairmanship.

Speaking to media persons outside the Supreme Court, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday demanded an amendment to abolish NAB to “ensure cases were made according to the law”.

He said bail has been granted to party leader Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Salam Rafiq but a detailed judgement, however, was not yet given.

“Can NAB return the days Rafique spent in jail,” Abbasi inquired as he asked the NAB chairman to resign and go home.

Criticising the government, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan does not have the ability to run the country.

Abbasi said every action of Imran was based on malice.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Saad Rafique in his statement said that they do not want the law to be used against opponents in the future.

He said that their bails from the court were a proof that they were subjected to political revenge.

Talking about the government's performance, he said the longer the PTI regime sustains, the more the country will move towards destruction.

Talking about Centre’s “poor policies” to tackle the novel coronavirus, he said students were not brought back to the country from China but a flood of people was allowed from Taftan.

He accused Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari of letting the virus spread in the country.

Sharing his two cents, Secretary General PML-N Ahsan Iqbal said NAB was being used to suppress voices of prime minister's opponents, adding that NAB could not present any arguments in the court to deny bail application.

“NAB is paving the way for fascism by following the wishes of Imran Khan. After today's decision of the court, NAB and its chairman have no justification to stay,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, former Punjab law minister and PML-N stalwart Rana Sanaullah said the Rafiq brothers’ bail was the evidence of their innocence.

Agreeing with his views, spokesperson of the party Marriyum Aurangzeb said the decision of the Supreme Court was a slap on the face of NAB.