The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) said it will support the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) if it conducts an inquiry into corruption scams in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B).
“There should be an inquiry and we welcome it, especially if it is done through NAB,” said Attaullah Shah, a senior JUI-F leader and former advisor to the prime minister, talking to The Express Tribune on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, our society is plagued by corruption and it’s our responsibility to purge it from this menace.”
JUI-F is a coalition partner in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led government in G-B. The coalition’s three-year rule so far has been marred by allegations of corruption and bad governance. The JUI-F, however, has frequently denied the charges, claiming the party had nothing to with the accusations.
Previously, G-B Assembly Speaker and PPP leader Wazir Baig also made similar statements, calling for the NAB to extend its oversight to the region.
Chief Minister Mehdi Shah denied the allegations and blamed coalition partners last month for embezzlement. He had said corrupt practices of coalition partners have earned the PPP a bad name.
In an Independence Day ceremony held in Gilgit on Wednesday, Shahab claimed terrorism is rapidly making its way into society and cannot be fought without first eliminating corruption. “Let us pledge to do it on this auspicious day (August 14),” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2013.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
The correct name is Atta Ullah Shahab, not Shah