Mastikhel may be let off with a warning

PML-N inquiry committee urges Nawaz Sharif to pardon the MPA for presenting the infamous “anti-media resolution”.

LAHORE: A PML-N inquiry committee has urged party chief Nawaz Sharif to pardon MPA Sanaullah Mastikhel for presenting the infamous “anti-media resolution” in the Punjab Assembly.

Mastikhel gained much press attention on July 9 when he tabled a resolution in the Punjab Assembly condemning the media for its coverage of the fake degrees issue. The resolution angered Sharif and he suggested Mastikhel be expelled from the party for violating discipline.

The PML-N formed an inquiry committee consisting of MPAs Sirdar Zulfiqar Khosa, Zaeem Qadri, Abdul Razzaq Dhilon and Samiullah. This committee has completed its investigation and recommended that Mastikhel be let off with a warning, PML-N spokesman Pervaiz Rashid confirmed to The Express Tribune.

Rashid said Mastikhel had been made a scapegoat. “The resolution he presented was not the act of an individual. Eighteen parliamentarians from different parties were involved in its making and submission,” he said.

The inquiry committee also favourably noted that Mastikhel had written a letter apologising to the party chief, wherein he confessed to acting against party discipline, apologised and promised never to make the same mistake again.

Party leaders said Sharif was likely to pardon Mastikhel and withdraw his suggestion to expel the MPA. But Rashid said Sharif had not made a final decision yet as he would first consult party leaders in upcoming meetings.

The committee recorded the statements of several MPAs including Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, who presented a “pro-media resolution” in the Punjab Assembly the day after Mastikhel.

Mastikhel was not immediately available for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2010.