Don’t interfere in no-trust move, Abbasi warns NAB

PML-N leader says some of its lawmakers receiving notices from anti-graft body even since opposition filed requisition

ISLAMABAD:

PML-N Senior Vice President Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday maintained that some of their lawmakers had received notices from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) since the opposition had filed a requisition for a no-confidence motion against the government.

“It is not NAB chairman’s [Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal] job to interfere in the no-trust move,” the former premier said while speaking to the media in front of an accountability court in Islamabad.

 “I want to tell NAB that you have to answer for this,” he warned.

“Anyone, who becomes the instrument of the government’s dirty tactics, will be responsible for their actions.”

Abbasi claimed that the accountability process was being ridiculed in the country.

The senior PML-N leader also challenged Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet members to stop lawmakers from entering National Assembly on the day of the no-trust motion.

“The government should bring 172 members in the House instead of bringing one million people at D-Chowk.”

The ruling PTI had recently announced that it would stage a one-million strong rally at Islamabad’s D-Chowk ahead of the opposition’s no-confidence motion in the lower house of parliament.

“They should bring one million people [to D-Chowk] but they cannot stop the vote of no confidence. Whoever prevents members of assembly from entering parliament will have to face Article 6 of the Constitution,” the PML-N leader warned.

He added that a government, which had resorted to taking to the streets, meant that it had failed.

Abbasi further said when a person was left with nothing, the only thing they could do was to resort of hurling abuses, apparently referring to PM Imran.

 “Only few days of the government are left, nothing will happen by hurling abusing.”

In a satirical tone, the PML-N leader congratulated the people of Punjab for having Usman Buzdar as their chief minister.

Taking to Twitter, PPP senior leader Sherry Rehman wrote that the government's plan to hold a rally at D-Chowk and surround members on the day of the no-confidence motion was unconstitutional and illegal.

She added that the government, in its confusion, was willing to cause unrest in the country.

“The government will be responsible if clashes erupt between activists of political parties.”

The PPP leader said that if PTI had the required numbers, it should challenge the no-confidence motion in parliament.

The decision to send [PM] Imran packing will be made in the National Assembly instead of D-Chowk.”

Sindh Labour and Information Minister Saeed Ghani said in few days, PM Imran would be called a former prime minister.

“The government believes that it is going out. There is no need for an international conspiracy against Imran Khan as he is an incompetent man. Pakistan’s enemies are fond of incompetent rulers like him,” he told the media in Karachi.

The anti-graft body, in response to the allegations, distanced itself from the no-confidence motion.

A NAB spokesperson said the anti-graft body had always believed in carrying out its duties in accordance with the Constitution and law.

“NAB does not belong to any political party, group or individual but to the state of Pakistan.”

The spokesperson further added that no NAB official had anything to do with the no-confidence motion.

(With input from our correspondent in Karachi)