ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has asked Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar to step down before facing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) inquiry for the sake of a fair trail. "Usman Buzdar should resign till completion of the NAB's inquiry against him. It is necessary for fair trail, as he may influence the probe," said Uzma Bukhari, PML-N spokesperson for Punjab.
The NAB on Thursday summoned Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on August 12 for awarding an alleged illegal liquor license to a private hotel and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on August 11 in a case pertaining to alleged illegal transfer of government land in connivance with local government officials and with assets beyond known means of income.
PML-N, however, described the move as part of the 'one-side' accountability process of the ruling PTI. In its parliamentary party meeting chaired by party president Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, the PML-N lambasted the 'use of NAB for political victimisation' and demanded that NAB should be scrapped and fresh legislation enacted to create an institution of accountability in accordance with the true principles of justice, law and the Constitution.
"We fear that Buzdar can use his position to influence the inquiry against him. He should clear himself from the NAB inquiry first to be able to become the chief executive of the province," Bukhari said, adding that it is a clear case of misuse of his authority by the chief minister in awarding the license to the private hotel.
She alleged that Buzdar was also a central accused in sugar and wheat crises. "It is ironic as to why NAB did not summon him in the wheat and sugar scam in which he appears to be a major accused?" she asked. "The PTI government has an understanding with the NAB which is acting as a silent spectator on the corruption of the rulers," she alleged.
She further alleged that Punjab has become the number one province in corruption in the country, adding that the recent report of Transparency International has revealed each and everything about the PTI government's "one-sided" accountability process.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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