ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday said it has decided to expose the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for victimising those who raise their voice against the policies of the government.

“The PPP will also write to foreign embassies and diplomats to apprise them of NAB’s victimisation,” said Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, who is the spokesman for PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He was speaking at a press conference at Zardari House on Friday. Party leaders Palwasha Khan, Khursheed Jonejo and Nazir Dhoki were also present.

Senator Khokhar said the European Union had already observed that NAB was resorting to victimisation.

“On August 6, a report by Human Rights Watch also raised serious questions about NAB’s functioning. The report mentioned the names of President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and others, including Mir Shakilur Rehman of Jang Group, who have been victimised by NAB,” he said.

“This is not the only international organisation that has raised questions about impartiality of NAB. European Union has also observed that NAB has become a tool for political blackmailing,” he said.

“The PPP will write letters to the foreign embassies in Pakistan apprising them of NAB’s victimisation of opposition leaders as well as anyone who differs with government policies.”

He also demanded a ban on foreign travels of NAB officials. Responding to questions, Senator Khokhar said unemployment and price hike were the two main problems faced by the people of Pakistan during the PTI government.

He said an all parties conference will be held soon for which the PPP chairman was in contact with political leadership of the country.

He said FATF required some legislation before it could take Pakistan out of the gray list.

“The PPP did not support the government to pass these laws rather introduced some amendments to them in the national interest,” he explained.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2020