PML-N slams sugar scam probe under NAB

Spokesperson accuses PM of providing a safe passage to the accused out of the country


Our Correspondents June 07, 2020
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb said the federal government was ridiculing accountability and justice through filing sugar corruption inquiry under National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

“The case is being filed under NAB-Niazi jurisdiction despite the fact that Prime Minister Imran Khan is the prime accused and he assisted another accused in absconding to the United Kingdom,” said the PML-N spokesperson responding to the press conference of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar.

The former Information minister accused prime minister of providing a safe passage to the person involved in corruption of sugar out of the country. “Now the prime minister is touting about justice and accountability.”

Marriyum alleged prime minister and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar are the prime accused in the sugar scandal who ‘robbed the nation”.

“The government spokespersons forgot to mention the date of arrest of the two accused in the scandal,” she added.

The PML-N spokesperson demanded that the prime minister and the chief minister be held accountable for their crimes after making the biggest sugar heist on the nation.

“Imran Khan and Usman Buzdar should present themselves in front of the nation to be held accountable for their crimes,” she said.

She further said the prime minister was solely responsible for the ‘mega crime’ as after his approval people were robbed through the sugar scandal. “The prime minister has built Zaman Park with the money received through corruption in sugar,” said the PML-N information secretary.

'PM Imran nabs sugar mafia - no one above accountability'

Raising further questions, the opposition party spokesperson said, “Why did the prime minister allow export of sugar amid shortage across the country? Why did the government allow subsidy of sugar despite massive devaluation of the rupee? Why are people compelled to pay Rs90 for per kilogramme of sugar which is basically Rs52 per kilogramme?” Marriyum added Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led government was claiming false moral grounds over making the sugar probe report public as it was mandatory under the legislation passed during the PML-N government tenure.

Besides, the spokesperson announced that PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi challenged that parallel inquiries on the provision of subsidy should be held and Imran Khan should expose the real culprits behind the scandal.

Government response

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communications Dr Shahbaz Gill slammed the PML-N for indulging in politics amid crisis of coronavirus across the country.

“The nation can recall billions of dollars fraud committed by PML-N leadership and the party will be held accountable for the scams,” said Gill responding to the statement of Aurangzeb.

Gill hailed the performance of the government during the pandemic crisis through providing personal protection equipment and training for the protection of doctors.

“The government has provided a historic relief package for solving economic problems of the country,” he added.

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