KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau raided the residence of Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Prisons Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani in DHA on Wednesday, conducted a thorough search and left with a few files and documents, drawing sharp criticism from the party leadership which again accused the anti-graft body of victimisation of opposition parties’ leaders.

The NAB team aided by Karachi police and Pakistan Rangers conducted the raid in the early hours, stayed more than an hour in the house and carried out a thorough search in the absence of Mr Jakhrani, who was out of the city at the time, said sources.

Sindh Minister for Information, Archives and Labour Saeed Ghani who led a protest outside Jakhrani’s house criticised the NAB action and said it was against the court orders.

“Mr Jakhrani has obtained interim pre-arrest bail from Sindh High Court which means that NAB should put him to notice before making any move,” he said while addressing a press conference after the raid.

“Has NAB guts to question the prime minister’s elder sister or raid her house? The accountability is driven by vendetta and victimisation. Only the opposition is being questioned and jailed and the government’s supporters are exempted even from formalities,” he said.

Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, youngest daughter of slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, took to social media to lodge her protest and express anger over the raid. “Categorically condemn NAB raid on Jakhrani’s home,” she tweeted a few hours after the raid.

“Political victimisation and targeting political opponents are the benchmarks of this regime. NAB has once again proven its utter disregard for families, women and children,” she said.

PPP rally in Jacobabad in support of Jakhrani

SUKKUR: Supporters of Pakistan Peoples Party took out a rally in Jacobabad on Wednesday in protest against raid on the house of party leader and Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani in Karachi by National Accountability Bureau.

The rally marched on different roads before reaching DC Chowk where the participants held a demonstration and sit-in at the roundabout.

The protesters’ leaders Mir Liaquat Ali Lashari, Arif Dayo, Mir Rehmatullah Khoso and others said that the NAB personnel ransacked Jakhrani’s house, which was condemnable.

They accused federal minister Muhammadmian Soomro of using NAB to stop recounting of votes on NA-196 (Jacobabad) which was ordered by election tribunal.

They said that if Soomro was interested in politics then he should come out in the field as he could not bow Jakhrani through such tactics. Imran Khan’s government had failed completely and its days were numbered, they said.

They demanded an end to “vengeful” actions against Jakhrani and warned they would stage strong protests if the injustices continued.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2019