NAB summons Shahbaz again after he skips inquiry on Saaf Pani scam

Rana Bilal Dawn.com Published June 4, 2018

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday skipped an inquiry of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) pertaining to the Punjab Saaf Pani Company (PSPC) scam and instead, sent a representative who submitted written answers to the bureau's questions.

The NAB in November last year had launched a thorough probe into alleged corruption in the 56 public-sector companies formed by the Shahbaz Sharif administration in Punjab. These companies are accused of certain irregularities, recruitment in violation of procurement rules and merit, nepotism, and non-completion of various projects in time.

Last month, NAB issued a notice to Shahbaz Sharif, directing him to appear before a combined investigation team of NAB Lahore in connection with the affairs of the Saaf Pani Company. He was also directed to bring the relevant record.

Instead of Shahbaz Sharif, a representative, Amir Afzal, appeared on his behalf on Monday and submitted written replies to the questions asked by NAB.

According to NAB officials, Shahbaz was summoned because he, in his capacity as a chief minister, had approved the alleged illegal projects being run by the company.

After Shahbaz was a no-show, NAB once again summoned the PML-N head, directing him to appear before the bureau's Lahore office on June 25.

A day earlier, Malik Mohammad Ahmad, ex-Punjab government spokesman, had told Dawn: "Shahbaz Sharif will appear before the NAB on Monday to reply to its queries with regard to the Saaf Pani Company. Sharif has served the people of the province with full dedication and honesty, and he will clarify any matter in this regard.”

In April, the Supreme Court was informed during a hearing in the Saaf Pani Company case that despite Rs4 billion being spent on this project not a single drop of clean water has been made available to the citizens.

The company’s CEO had told the court that Rs300 million had been spent on the services of foreign consultants so far, an estimated amount of Rs150 billion had been allocated for the whole project, while 116 plants of clean water installed at a cost of Rs4bn.

Pakistan

Rana Bilal is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn News (TV) with over nine years of experience covering legal affairs, justice-sector developments, and environmental issues. He can be found on X at @ranabilaldawn.

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Jun 04, 2018 06:50pm

In Thar Sindh the water purification RO plants have gone bad, the Sindh Govt unable to pay the company bills, hence water plant stopped. In Punjab Saad Paani Company, project exorbitantly paid, both matters prove the inabilities of two Provincial Governments, how they govern the provinces, proves an absolute maladministrations. The matter about Punjab Saaf Paani project already in court. The Apex Court may please take suo moto for Sindh RO plants, as the clean water non- availibility in Thar is persisting unabated.

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Alba

Jun 04, 2018 07:00pm

He skipped out because he needs time for his lawyers to tell him what to do.

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Shaikh

Jun 04, 2018 07:17pm

Why 21 days gap??

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Alex

Jun 04, 2018 08:12pm

WHY nab never arrest any member of the sharief family? anybody else would be behind bar for skipping the nab.a new dept is needed to investigate the nab .

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Stranger

Jun 04, 2018 09:22pm

No respect and fear of courts by the rich and powerful in Pakistan.Very sad.

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The Artist

Jun 04, 2018 10:09pm

Saaf Pani is a basic right, one cannot survive without clean water - yet there are PML-N supporters out there who will look past this headline which clearly demonstrates 1/ no respect for the law 2/ no respect for our citizens.

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Martha

Jun 04, 2018 10:49pm

Conspiracy against PML(N) should stop.

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Jun 04, 2018 10:54pm

Shows disrespect of the accountability process and of the court system by the ex-CM who needs to answer questions about alleged misuse of public money. NAB should move forward with his arrest for ignoring summons

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Salman Hasan

Jun 04, 2018 11:45pm

This shows how Sharifs disregards courts and laws of the land. They think they are above the law and should not be questioned. I believe Nawaz Sharif played a smaller role in their corrupt practices as he does not have any brains to manoeuver the loot out of the country. Shahbaz is the main kingpin of this mafia which includes the entire Punjab bureaucracy and the big list of corrupt politicians. I guarantee you if Shahbaz Sharif is interrogated like any common Pakistani by the Police, he will spill out all the secrets how they laundered all their wealth to these offshore companies and how they amassed their wealth in last 30 years.

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fairplay

Jun 05, 2018 02:59am

A no-show is contempt of court, arrest the accused, put him in jail for 10-30 days.

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Khan

Jun 05, 2018 04:15am

Why this family is single out and trailed out day and night, what happened to others politicians and families. There is a limit to everything. How far we want to push and insult the person who worked day and night and brought all developments to Punjab.Why they cannot see other Provinces development and corruption.

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Tariq

Jun 05, 2018 08:44am

If ail to under as how superior courts and NAB courts accommodating a prime suspects around him all massive corruption occurred. I think he should be immediately arrested and interrogated strictly with no mercy to extract the required evidence swiftly present challan in Courts. This strange behavior in favor of such corrupt person is beyond and understanding.

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