LAHORE: Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on Saturday took exception to the allegations levelled by Imran Khan against the Punjab government and some bureaucrats earlier in the day, asking the civil servants in Punjab to resume work in the best interest of people and the province.

Speaking at a news conference, the minister said the government supported the reservations shown by the civil servants over the way their colleague, Ahad Cheema, was treated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

“We have asked them to continue their work as it is not possible to stop it,” he said and added that the government had assured them that it would continue support to get them justice against the illegal steps by NAB.

Rejects Imran’s charges

The insiders said the civil servants had been asked not to go on strike to avoid legal and political complications that could be created in the wake of the strike.

Asked whether the MQM-like reaction given after the arrest of Mr Cheema in Punjab would not set a negative precedence, he said NAB also did not act under the law. Both the civil officers and NAB were required to observe law.

Flanked by Punjab government spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmad, Sana dismissed a question whether the country was moving towards a clash of institutions. If some institution misused its powers, the government contacted it for relief.

“We have conveyed to the NAB chairman that Mr Cheema was improperly treated, and filed a related petition before the high court. It is not a clash. We have used our legal right. We have always raised voice against any injustice with us but never clashed with any institution,” he said.

The minister also dismissed a reported claim by NAB that it had evidence against Mr Cheema, saying it was the bureau’s version and added “they did not produce any such evidence in the court (against Mr Cheema) and are releasing it to media or their stooge”.

Sana termed Imran Khan a liar, asking him to prove his allegations he had leveled against the Punjab government, Ahad Cheema and others, including IB Chief Aftab Sultan.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2018