Summary Nawaz Sharif, and Shahbaz Sharif are under investigation
Dunya News Report (Shahzad Badar)
The public and opposition parties were surprised when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif warned the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to stick to its official mandate and not harass government officials. No one should be harassed without verification and solid proofs the PM warned. NAB has visibly taken the Prime Minister’s warning seriously and issued a press release saying that it “respects the views expressed by the Prime Minister”.
NAB, without elaborating confessed that it had inherited some problems and it is now undertaking speedy reforms to improve the performance of the Bureau.
Even Chaudhry Nisar came up with a statement to pacify Zardari, offering to investigate any foul play by the FIA. Sindh had always criticized the FIA interference in the ongoing operation in Karachi.
The general public and provincial governments have all criticized Nawaz Sharif for pressurizing the NAB. Public opinion on the corruption issue is going against the Sharif government, its credibility is down and its promises for ending corruption in the country has been shattered commented an analyst. NAB has been hit below the belt was a student’s comment.
The finance minister claims for bringing back the billions of dollars stacked in Swiss bank now sounds like a joke with the nation and has lost meaning as the wings of the NAB have apparently been clipped by the PM who appointed its head.
Media reports and rumors say that Sharif was under pressure from political allies who had earlier supported him in bad times. Imran Khan’s container treat is still hanging and Sharif’s cases too are pending in the NAB compelling the PM to openly warn NAB. The provinces had always pointed out that Punjab was the holy cow and NAB and FIA were almost inactive in carrying out any investigations against the bureaucrats and politicians there. NAB it is reported had plans for Punjab and Rana Sanullah had categorically warned that it would not be allowed to act in Punjab to please anyone.
Rana Sanullah was also quoted by the media as saying that investigating old cases would not be beneficial- Zardari was put in jail for ten years with no positive outcome. Why would investors invest in Pakistan if 25 years old cases are reopened against them? Many political figures were going to fall under the scalpel of the NAB. Sindh was against any corruption investigations claiming that provincial bodies were enough to probe any case.
NAB investigations against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to be concluded by end of this March. Result of the “mega corruption” against politicians, bureaucrats, private individuals, too are pending which would create a political turmoil for the Sharif government.
Nawaz Sharif, and Shahbaz Sharif are under investigation for construction of a road from Raiwind to Jati Umra, the Sharif’s residence where he feted Prime Minister Modi. The case is pending since 2000, and involves an alleged misappropriation of Rs125 million.
NAB will most probably drop the inquiries against the PM due to “inadequate evidence”.
The MQM, PTI, PPP, JI are all in an offensive mood waiting for the right moment to strike Sharif down and extract their pound of flesh. Sharif, Modi reconciliation ending in Pathankot fiasco, his inability to reign in the Rangers in Karachi and breakdown of his friendly relations with Asif Zardari are dangerous signs for the Sharif’s government.
NAB has been issued a warning, its wings clipped as Nawaz Sharif saw its activities destabilizing his government and weakening his alliances. It remains to be seen if NAB would be allowed to perform its duties or converted into an impotent organisation. END
