Investigation by NAB: PPP terms it victimisation of Sindh government

As the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has expedited the process to tighten noose around politicians and bureaucrats of Sindh for their alleged involvement in corruption, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has termed it a one-sided action and victimisation of the provincial government for political reasons.
Sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that NAB has initiated various cases of corruption against a total of 26 politicians and bureaucrats of Sindh government, which is a serious concern for top PPP leadership. The accountability body, according to sources, has started a large-scale investigation into the alleged corruption cases in various departments of Sindh government including Board of Revenue, Local Government, Agriculture, Education, Health, Police and etc. This action accounts for a number of bureaucrats and politicians approaching the Sindh High Court for pre-arrest bail while a few have left the country.
Politicians who have secured pre-arrest bail from Sindh High Court include former senior minister Pir Mazharul Haq, provincial population welfare minister Syed Ali Mardan Shah, who is facing a NAB inquiry for alleged misuse of power and embezzlement of public funds, and Ministry for Minorities' Affairs Ahmad Bux Narejo.
Bureaucrats who have succeeded in getting pre-arrest bail from court include Secretary Information Zulfiqar Shahlwani, Director, Information Department Mansoor Rajput, Secretary Commissioner Benazir Abad Ghulam Mustafa Phull, former chief secretary and senior member Board of Revenue Ghulam Ali Shah among others. Karachi administrator Saqib Soomro, known for his close association with former President and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, has reportedly left the country after NAB initiated an inquiry against him. On June 19, the FIA reportedly stopped brother-in-law of former President, Asif Ali Zardari, and Sindh education secretary, Dr Fazlullah Pechuho from going abroad for unknown reasons. The PPP insiders said the senior party leadership was unhappy with the situation and may formally take up the matter with the federal government. They said that the concerns of the provincial government were formally conveyed to the Prime Minister by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah during his recent visit to Karachi.
Talking to Business Recorder, PPP's parliamentary leader in the Senate, Senator Saeed Ghani said that it was an entirely one-side action against his party's provincial government, adding only one province was being particularly targeted. "We are not against accountability, but it must be across the board...There are also other provinces namely Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Targeting only Sindh indicates the intentions behind the NAB investigations," he maintained, adding the provincial ministers and bureaucrats are being harassed and the government cannot work in such a situation. Asked whether the provincial government has any intention to approach the court, the Senator said that there is no such plan. However, he said that commissioner Benazir Abad Ghulam Mustafa Phull has filed a petition in Sindh High Court in his personal capacity. According to the petition, under the NAB Ordinance 1999, the federal government has no authority to interfere in the affairs of a provincial government and the action against corruption is a provincial matter under the 1973 constitution. The petition further states that NAB can take action only against those departments falling under the federal government.