Nisar quits as PAC Chairman

Opposition Leader in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday announced to quit as chairman Public Accounts Committee (APC) against, what he said, the PPP-led government's bid to turn the panel into a battle ground when it is all set to take up accounts of the present regime.
Speaking at a news conference here, called for convening joint session of the parliament on Nato/Isaf attacks in Mohmand Agency that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Nisar flayed the government for not implementing the unanimous resolution of the parliament on Abbotabad raid.
He said that all the issues related to the attack and others should be presented before the parliament. He urged the prime minister to take the parliament into confidence on these issues.
Nisar said that the joint session of the parliament should be open session so that the people, who are the biggest stakeholders, could know the real facts.
The leader of the opposition was equally critical of military leadership who held them accountable for all the mess created by the war on terror especially the secret agreements and understanding reached with the US.
He also flayed Chief of the Army Staff, saying that the COAS issued a number of warning statements on such incidents in the past but nothing was done on the ground.
He, however, supported the decision taken by Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) asking US to vacate Shamsi airbase and close down the Nato supply line.
He termed the Nato attack an attempt on country's sovereignty. He pointed out that the DCC decisions would be meaningful if these were implemented.
Nisar was, however, not sure that the government would implement the DCC's decisions in letter and spirit, saying that the government had also given a deadline to stop drone attacks. However, he said, no action was taken despite repeated drone attacks inside Pakistan.
He was of the view that this incident would not have happened if the two consensus resolutions of the parliament and that of All Parties Conference (APC) were implemented.
He lamented that the government did not learn anything from Abbottabad raid.
The leader of the opposition also called for reviewing the policy on war on terror and opined that the offer made by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for ceasefire should be taken into consideration.
He accused the government of compromising on national interests, saying that the government only knows deal making to prolong its rule.
"The PPP-led government has no right to continue anymore," he added.
Nisar before announcing to resign as PAC chairman appreciated the work of the parliamentary panel, saying that the committee did tremendous work in three and half years but now the circumstances have made it impossible for him to stay in the office.
He was of the view that appointment of a blue-eyed and controversial person as Auditor General of Pakistan had exposed the government's intention to block the working of PAC. "Accountability and Zardari-Gilani government are poles apart and it has become impossible to carryout the parliamentary accountability," he remarked.
Nisar, however, said that other five members of PML-N in PAC would continue working as opposition members.
To a question about Imran Khan's campaign, he said that all the political orphans planted by the agencies are joining the PTI. He said that if Imran Khan was serious on asset declaration then he should go to the Supreme Court.
To another question regarding Shah Mehmood Qureshi's meeting with Nawaz Sharif, he declined to disclose the details of the meeting, saying that it was decided not to make it public. Nisar, however, congratulated Qureshi on joining PTI.