Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
PML-N CEC condemns NAB chairman for taking action on 'irresponsible, false report'
The PML-N's Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Friday strongly condemned National Accountability Bureau Chairman Javed Iqbal for allegedly ordering an inquiry against Nawaz Sharif for laundering money to India "based on an extremely irresponsible and totally false media report".
The condemnation came a day after Nawaz, referring to a NAB notification stating that it was looking into allegations that he laundered money to the tune of $4.9 billion to India, termed the watchdog's inquiries "pre-poll rigging" and demanded that Iqbal provide evidence to support the allegations against him or resign.
"It is NAB's duty to answer all my questions within 24 hours and address these reservations. Failing to do so, NAB should apologise to the nation and its chairman should resign," he had said.
Read more: Give proof of 'shameless' allegations in 24 hours or resign, Nawaz tells NAB chairman
NAB had notified it was "examining complaints" that the foreign exchange reserves of India increased by $4.9bn, as 'verified' by a World Bank report, because of Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif's money laundering activities.
The World Bank had responded to the notification clarifying that "the report [in question] does not include any mention of money laundering nor does it name any individuals”.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also stated in the past that the estimates shown in the World Bank report in question are based on "assumptions" which do not reflect reality.
NAB Chairman Iqbal, without explicitly mentioning the case, had later defended his department's conduct and said that it would keep operating as usual even if some find its decisions upsetting.
Explore: NAB chief vows to continue measures against corruption
CEC statement
The PML-N CEC's statement issued after a five-hour-long meeting today states that the party's leadership supports Sharif's demand that the NAB chairman provide evidence supporting his allegations at the earliest or resign from his post.
The leadership has further alleged that the NAB chairman also denies that the grounds of its inquiry have been refuted by the World Bank and the SBP.
The leadership has also unanimously concluded that each person responsible for propagating the "lie" must be unmasked, and that all steps must be taken to prosecute them under Pakistani law.
They also pledged that they would foil "every conspiracy and tactic against Nawaz Sharif through constitutional, legal and democratic struggle, which will continue until all stains of falsehood are erased through a show of massive public support," statement issued by the party read.
Resolution for Iqbal's resignation tabled in assembly
A resolution demanding the resignation of the NAB chairman was also tabled in the Punjab Assembly by PML-N's Hina Parvez Butt today.
The resolution stated that there was a loss of confidence in the chairman NAB as he had, on the basis of a false report, issued a notification against Sharif.
It should be stated for the record that the notification in question had stated that NAB was examining complaints that the Sharif brothers had laundered money and had not made a direct accusation against them.
"This makes it clear that Sharif is being a victim of revenge," Butt's resolution stated.
"The chairman NAB has levied ridiculous and absurd allegations that Sharif has laundered Rs4.98bn to India," the text added, "whereas the WB report clearly does not mention money laundering or Sharif's name."
No organisation or leader has the authority to violate the basic rights of any Pakistani citizen, the resolution stated.
The resolution demanded that the NAB chairman immediately resign from his post and there be an investigation into his alleged misuse of authority.
It also called for the chief justice to take suo motu notice of the case.
It is expected that the resolution will be taken up in the next assembly session on Monday.
With additional reporting by Arif Malik.
Comments (32) Closed
What other options does it has at this crucial juncture in time and history?
I think politicians needs some education, why here a political party jumped in this corruption investigation, it's the individuals who are involved and needs to be interrogated like Panama Case. Politicians who holds public office, get paid and enjoy life styles on public money have no right to speak against head of a watch dog institution, yes they should speak, but first resign from their positions.
Nawaz is right for once. Someone doing research at the NAB was too enthusiastic in pursuit of the Sharif case.
It is fair demand, if NAB has publicly accused someone should also provide evidence. In modern democracies, officials has to resign if they publicly accuse someone and can’t substantiate the claim.
PML N's arm twisting tactics will fall flat on its face
WB report is there, not final, but assumption let NAB probe the assumption and declare its findings. No need to over react please.
Nawaz thinks he is still the only emperor of Islamic republic of Pakistan. But he doesn't know a little partly renovated Appartment in Adiala jail is already booked for his long stay.
PMLN and NS share the money trail which every one is waiting for 2 years.
Stop destroying Pak and its stability. In retrospect I demand NS the so called supreme leader of n league to present his money trail in 12 hours else resign from party leadership and present yourself in court.
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad ... why is this so crucial juncture in time and history.?. Nothing is crucial... Pak is getting out of its darkest period.
@Truth Seeker ... by your clarification and logic NS must stay behind bars as he could not produce money trail until now?. And where's the money ?.
@SkyHawk ... yeah... he will stay there rest of his life.
Let me translate for the PML-N statement " how dare the NAB investigate our alleged corruption we are above the law"
@Alba When you have such a corrupt Government with little credibility eveything needs to be examined.
Really CEC condemn lies! What about their supreme leader's lies over lies over lies.......
Nawaz Sharif is keep shredding crocodile's tears to gain unjust sympathies and divert public's attention from real money laundering cases. This old tactic of blame games will NOT work this time, because, nation is much wiser now then any other time!
@Alba I agree but they are involved in 1000s of corruptions, so it is not unusual to think about them wherever is talk corruption going on.
If action can be taken against a company on New York time post then why cant action be taken on a Wall street journal report which is the case here
And what about zardari's money laundering using models? NAB needs go at both with a two prong approach. Nawaz money laundered is believable...only Nawaz did is not.
@Alba : law is equal for everyone, nothing wrong inquiring an allegation.
Shameful how a political party is defending just 1 person's corruption
NS has found this as a best way to vent his frustrations. NAB is 100% right in its approach. How can NS deny receiving Indians and meeting him in Murree secretly. What was the agenda. NS name should be put on ECL immediately. If he escape he will do more harm to Pakistsn.
NAB seems to have overstepped this time and the chairman should accept respinsibility. But before asking for his resignation, Mr Sharif should consider the fact that Maryam Nawaz said on live TV that neither she nor her siblings own any property and that if she was proven wrong she will apologise to the nation. She was proven wrong. Did she ever utter the word sorry for mileading the nation.
NAB didn't accuse anyone; they announced that they are investigating reports about Nawaz. PMLN neef to realize these bullying tactics won't work.
It is the sworn duty of NAB to investigate each and every accusation, no matter how frivolous.
N Sharif is not interested in how the money got transferred or who transferred it. It should be worry some for him that it happened while he was PM. But I guess he has no concern for the country, he is only interested in votes.
Is not this a concern for every Pakistani that the money was transferred to India.Who transferred it is the second question. Without investigation how is it possible to find out who transferred it.? If Panama leak did not come to surface, we would have been in the dark for so many things.
Wake NS you are not PM of Pakistan any more.Don’t try to desert the attention. You have enough in your plate to deal with.
@Humanitarian APPROACH .Absolutely . Even if World Bank Report is assumptive, the RBI Reserve Bank of India hides nothing, and Indian Rules on Foreign Exchange are exemplary, Freedom of Information is there, anybody can know the facts, the matter is still on agenda, let the probe reach its completion, and yeah no need for overflowing the news.
@Truth Seeker To me it looks like PML-N has scoin in NAB to embarrass them.
Why PML-N is so upset?
What an irony! A confirmed convicted person saying this.
@Humanitarian APPROACH you are behaving like Nawaz.