LAHORE: Punjab government spokesman Shaukat Basra has written to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman alleging that its Multan head in a collusion with his opponent MNA Ijazul Haq therefore an income beyond means notice is issued to him.

In the letter, Mr Basra requested NAB chairman retired justice Javed Iqbal to form a joint investigation team to probe into the matters of him, PML-Z chief Ijazul Haq and a company with regard to possessing assets beyond means so that a transparent investigation is initiated.

“I am the complainant against Ijazul Haq, his front men and a tea company owners in NAB. In order to put pressure on me to take back my complaint they colluded with the NAB head Multan and got issued a notice in income beyond means against me,” he said.

In a tweet, the PTI leader added: “Today, the fate of Pakistan rests in hands of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) because of “Tea” type corrupt enterprises which use money laundering as a tool to stock money. I will make sure such companies are put through thorough investigations along with their front man and employee @ijazulhaq.”

Mr Haq dismissed allegations, saying since NAB summoned Mr Basra in income beyond means case he had started leveling baseless allegations against him and the NAB Multan head whom he never met. “I want the prime minister to take notice of Basra’s allegations and these are earning bad name to his government. One wonders Basra is in government but he is alleging like he is in opposition,” Mr Haq told Dawn.

The NAB spokesman was not available for a comment.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2020