MUZAFFARABAD: Leader of the opposition in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin on Monday threw down the gauntlet to Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider to declare and prove the legitimacy of his assets and source of income in the public.

“If Raja Farooq Haider steps down as prime minister as well as member of the assembly to present himself before the masses for accountability (by vote), I will follow suit simultaneously,” said Mr Yasin after administering oath to the recently elected office-bearers of Central Bar Association Muzaffarabad.

It was for the first time the bar had chosen to take oath from the opposition leader rather than the president, prime minister or any other person holding position in the government.

Sources said the government was unhappy at the move and tried to get the function cancelled through different means.

Even Mr Yasin was advised by two senior administration officials on Sunday night to avoid attending the function due to the alleged grouping among lawyers.

However, on Monday senior lawyers sat together with the newly elected office-bearers to resolve the matter. The meeting decided that the oath taking ceremony would be held as per programme and Mr Yasin would be treated as guest of the entire bar.

In his hard hitting speech, Mr Yasin said Prime Minister Haider should accept his challenge to allow people once again to decide our political fate.

“I have no inferiority complex that my father was a labourer. Rather I am proud of it,” he said, referring to recent statements by some cabinet members mocking his poor background

“I moved to the United Kingdom (UK) in the 70s where I established my business but I never resorted to corruption. I have been in active politics for the past three decades but have never abused my elders,” he said.

“My assets are known to everyone but will Mr Haider also disclose his source of income, money trail and the details of assets,” he added.

Mr Yasin accused Mr Haider of adopting double standards for himself and the opposition parties.

He (PM) himself celebrated the Panamagate decision by staging a rally at Burhan Wani Chowk but when the PTI staged a sit-in at the same spot to protest against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif they were baton charged on his instructions.

He also criticised Mr Haider for moving resolutions flattering Mr Sharif in a session that was called to discuss the Kashmir issue.

Newly-elected president Raja Aftab Ahmed Khan and others also spoke.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2017