LAHORE: Ahead of next month’s by-poll in Daska, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated an income beyond means investigation against opposition PML-N MNA from there, the action the party of the Sharifs sees a step to influence the election.

MNA Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani on Thursday appeared before a NAB team at the Thokar Niaz Baig office and responded to its queries. “I was summoned in connection with income beyond means investigation. The NAB has given me a questionnaire and I will submit my reply it in coming days,” Mr Subhani told Dawn.

A party insider said that Mr Subhani was actively running the campaign of the PML-N candidate Nosheen Iftikhar on the direction of the party leadership. “The NAB’s action against Mr Subhani carries a clear message,” he said. Talking to Dawn, Nosheen Iftikhar expressed strong reservations on the NAB action against Mr Subhani. She said issuing an income beyond means case notice to the PML-N MNA from Sialkot-I ahead of by-poll there was quite meaningful.

Talking to reporters after attending a party meeting in Model Town here on Thursday, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said his party was facing political victimisation in the name of accountability. “The opposition is subject to accountability in Pakistan,” he said.

On Wednesday, PPP-backed candidates for NA-75 and PP-51 (Wazirabad city) withdrew their nomination papers in favour of PML-N nominees in both the constituencies.

‘It’s bid to influence NA-75 by-poll’

For both the by-polls, the PML-N has chosen family members of the deceased lawmakers who held the seats previously. Nosheen Iftikhar -- the daughter of former MNA Iftikhar Syed Iftikharul Hassan popularly known as Zahray Shah -- and Talat Cheema -- the widow of former MPA Shaukat Cheema -- have been given the party tickets for the two seats, respectively.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has nominated former minister Ali Asjad Malhi for NA-75.

Mr Malhi had lost his NA-75 election in 2018 to Zahray Shah. Mr Malhi had lost the election reportedly because another contender for the party ticket Usman Abid had eventually contested the election as an independent candidate, dividing the party votes.

Mr Malhi had bagged 61,432 votes, while independent candidate Usman Abid got 57,571 votes. PML-N’s Zahray Shah had won by scoring 101,617 votes.

Mr Malhi had served this constituency as MNA during Gen Parvez Musharraf regime following 2002 general elections.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2021