In a statement issued here on Monday, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said: “It appears that Mr Zardari is bent upon turning every state matter into his personal fiefdom and is adamant to use his powers above any rule or law.” — File Photo

 

ISLAMABAD: The Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly has strongly criticised what he called doling out of civil awards by President Asif Ali Zardari to his loyalists and close aides.

In a statement issued here on Monday, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said: “It appears that Mr Zardari is bent upon turning every state matter into his personal fiefdom and is adamant to use his powers above any rule or law.”

He said the PML-N would raise the issue in parliament to end the practice of playing with the national awards in future.

Chaudhry Nisar said there was no justification for the government to distribute like “loot sale” national awards among cronies, party workers, staff members and flatterers.

“The entire process has been in violation of law and degraded the status and prestige of national awards. It doesn't look to be a democratic or constitutional rule, but reminiscent of the era of Raja Ranjeet Singh.”

The PML-N leader accused President Zardari of ignoring the Constitution and rule of law and said that instead of being a representative of the nation, the presidency had become a sub-office of a political party.

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