MULTAN: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sought across the board accountability of all those who looted national wealth, while reiterating that his party will accept whatever verdict is given in Panamagate case by the Supreme Court.

He was addressing a ceremony here on Saturday after inaugurating the Violence Against Women Centre (VAWC) on Mati Tal Road. He said his party respected the courts and judges and it would accept the decision of Panama case whatsoever.

“However, the court should also hold accountable those who did corruption. Billions of rupees which should have been spent on development projects were siphoned to the pockets of some people. Billions have been spent on different cities (on papers) but the spending is not visible,” he said.

He said across the board accountability should be done, so that the people could understand who spent the resources on nation and who looted the national resources.

He said those leveling allegations that mega projects initiated by the PML-N government had been launched for commission, should first look into their own doings and feel ashamed.

Referring to various on-going power projects, he reiterated that “The loadshedding will be eliminated by the end of this year with the completion of several power projects, while entire credit for this goes to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”

He said those who were terming Metro Bus service “Jangla bus” were now introducing similar project in Peshawar, in a reference to PTI’s plans in thid regard.

He said the VAWC had been established to empower women, besides providing them protection against violence.

“The establishment of the centre will help improve the justice system of the country and all the facilities will be provided to female victims under one roof,” he said.

He said the centre would also collect forensic and other evidence, besides offering mental health and counseling services, and post-trauma rehabilitation to women victims. More such centres would be established at district level, he added.

“All facilities, including first aid, FIR lodging, police reporting, prosecution, medical examination, forensics and post-rehabilitation services will be provided to the female victims (through the centre), while entire staff of the centre will comprise females,” he said.

Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, who also spoke on the occasion, said last year’s lock down call by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was an attempt to repeat the October 12, 1999 episode.

He said the PTI call was an attempt to derail progress of the country.

“Now these elements want to use the courts to damage the country’s progress by saying that political coffins will be taken out of the Supreme Court. But this time their nefarious designs will fail again,” he said.

He said although his party respected the Supreme Court and its judges, he wanted to make it clear that the people wanted continuity of progress.

Strategic Reforms Unit Director General Salman Sufi said the Multan VAWC set up at a cost of Rs232 million would be converted into headquarters after establishment of similar facilities in all districts of the province.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2017