ISLAMABAD: Jamshed Dasti, the straight-shooting independent MNA from Muzaffargarh, was dealt a blow on Wednesday when a special committee constituted to investigate the veracity of his allegations against fellow lawmakers failed to find any evidence to support his claims.

In February of this year, Dasti stunned parliament by accusing fellow MNAs of opening indulging in immoral activities on the premises of the Parliament Lodges.

According to the report submitted to the National Assembly on Wednesday, the committee said that “Mr Dasti could not present any satisfactory evidence before the committee.”

The committee went on to say that the MNA “continued to level allegations against parliamentarians” in the press, despite the committee’s instructions against doing so. Dasti has humiliated the house, as well as its members participants, alleges the report.

Headed by Shaikh Rohail Asghar of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), the seven-member committee consisted of members from nearly all parties in parliament.

Committee investigating allegations finds no corroborating evidence for his claims; Dasti’s witnesses fail to testify

“We were not satisfied with the evidence he gave us, thus is it was unanimously decided to turn down his point of view,” Shaikh Rohail said.

MNA Dasti had alleged that liquor was being frequently consumed in the lodges, where the total expenditure on spirits was worth Rs40-50 million. He had also alleged that dance parties were a norm and “call girls” frequented the place, while the smell of marijuana infused various parts of the lodges.

Subsequently, the special committee was formed on March 4 to ascertain the allegations. The report of the committee was finalised after several meetings with various concerned persons, including parliamentarians, staff and the security personnel posted at the lodges.

The report states that there was no evidence to support the allegations, thus it was suggested that the parliamentarians may proceed against Mr Dasti “in accordance with law and rules, if they desire”.

A member of the committee, Mian Abdul Manan, told Dawn that independent MNAs are usually speaking somebody else’s language, because they have no party affiliations.

“These people, who criticise the system while remaining a part of it, will harm only themselves,” Mr Manan said, adding, “The House is like a large family, we have oppositions and political differences, but we cannot be disrespectful to our colleagues.”

The report also highlights that, during the proceeding, Mr Dasti has nominated MNAs Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Sardar Nabil Gabol as witnesses to support his allegations.

However, none of them showed up to testify, when invited by the committee, the report says.

Meanwhile, Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Sardar Nabil Gabol told Dawn that he did not go the committee because “it was a useless and nonsensical matter”.

The report, however, recommends that a standard operating procedure (SOP) may be prepared to regulate the vehicles and entrants to the lodges. It also suggests upgrading the CCTV system installed in the Parliament Lodges.

The formation of another committee has also been suggested, which should comprise of all concerned parliamentarians, to regulate routine matters, such as internal security, cleanliness, maintenance, etc. of the lodges.

Currently, there are 359 suites in the Parliament Lodges, 83 of which are reserved for the Senators, while 276 are for the MNAs.

The members of the special committee include Imran Zafar Laghari from PPPP, Dr Arif Alvi from PTI, MQM’s Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, JUI-F’s Shahida Akhtar Ali, PML-F’s Kazim Ali Shah and PML-N’s Mian Abdul Manan.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2014