LAHORE, Oct 7 PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz comes hard on Pakistan People's Party Punjab Finance Secretary Aurengzeb Burki, challenging him to either bring forth evidence to support his allegations that Sharifs are responsible for increase in chicken meat price or tender an unconditional apology, otherwise be ready to face litigation.

On the other hand, Pakistan People's Party leader Raja Riaz, who is senior minister in PML-N Punjab government, challenged Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, one of the staunch critics of the Kerry-Lugar aid bill, for holding manazra (live debate) over the issue.

The first challenger, Hamza Shehbaz, through a statement issued to Dawn asked Mr Burki “Either bring forth the evidence (to support your allegations) or tender an unconditional apology, which is to be published prominently in the national press within seven days. Otherwise, I will be constrained to initiate legal action against you under defamation law.”

The young Sharif, also an MNA from Lahore, has termed the allegations totally unsubstantiated and devoid of any reality. “The allegations leveled by Aurangzeb Burki, are politically motivated and a part of vilification campaign against Sharif family. There is no truth whatsoever in the allegation that Sharif group is running 100 controlled chicken sheds in Pakistan and affecting the sale price of poultry by exporting meat,” he said.

The fact of the matter was that Sharif group was running only four controlled sheds and had never exported even a single gram of poultry meat, Hamza Shahbaz added. “Besides, the company is not affecting the day-old chick price as it is not involved in hatchery business at all,” Hamza clarified.

Aurenzeb Burki had alleged that the Sharifs had entered the poultry business some six months ago and established around 100 controlled chicken sheds in Sundar area. On getting better rates from Gulf region, Hamza and company had started exporting a huge quantity of chicken meat and to meet the high demand they were even buying the commodity from the market, resulting in spiraling of prices.

Burki, however, has refused to offer 'unconditional' apology. “There is no question of seeking an apology (from Sharifs). I will rather welcome if they take me to the court as it will be the best forum to present evidence against their (Sharifs) monopolising the sector and cartelisation,” Burki told Dawn.

“I stand by my statements. The poultry business in Sundar may not be specifically in the name of Hamza but it is owned by Sharif family directly and indirectly,” he said.

“I am a political worker and it is neither my intention to indulge in mudslinging nor to hurt the feelings of any individual. In fact I wanted to bring forth the facts concerning people,” he said and added that he had requested the federal government to impose a ban on the export of chicken meat.

On the other hand, political temperature is running high for and against Kerry-Lugar aid bill. Following the directions of President Asif Ali Zardari, leaders of all tiers of the Pakistan People's Party have vigorously started dispelling the 'negative' propaganda against the aid coming to Pakistan through the bill.

The other challenger, Raja Riaz, invited the critics of the aid bill to have a debate with him. Raja is even ready to hold a 'manazra' with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the issue. “Those opposing the aid bill including the chief minister can have a debate with me over it,” Raja, who is the parliamentary leader of his party in the province, told journalists at his office here on Wednesday.

“Elements scared of democratic government are spreading false information about the bill to materialise their nefarious designs,” he said and lauded the successful tour of the president to the US.

He said the US grant would play a vital role in the education, health, employment, social security and economic sectors.

Raja Riaz said “In the present circumstance when we are facing hardships in electricity, water, gas and other sectors, the aid has become more vital and it is an achievement of President Zardari.”

He said everyone knew who had been working for the US interests in the past.

“They are criticising the bill only because the PPP is in power,” he said.