ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday asked the National Accoun­tability Bureau (NAB) to immediately reopen the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

He also opposed the formation of a proposed ethics committee of the Nat­io­nal Assembly to probe the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by disgruntled PTI MNA Aaisha Gulalai. Calling it an “illogical move”, Mr Khan said an independent panel should be formed to first ascertain whe­ther such cases were genuine or not.

“Nawaz Sharif is afraid of his cases, which NAB will pursue in an accountability court,” the PTI chief told a press conference after a party meeting held to review the political situation with reference to Nawaz Sharif’s plan to travel via GT Road to Lahore.

The PTI chief termed the plan a bid to “pressurise the Supreme Court and NAB” against Mr Sharif’s removal and accused the ousted prime minister of using “taxpayer money” to malign the judiciary and NAB.

Calls for independent probe into Gulalai’s allegations; rejects proposed ethics body

“A convict who is facing NAB cases is going to Lahore on government expense,” he observed, sarcastically.

Mr Khan said that turning someone, who was convicted by the highest court in the land and was wanted by NAB, into a hero on taxpayers’ expense was a massive conspiracy. “State machinery and DCOs are being used to make arrangements for public gatherings at different stations, so that Nawaz Sharif can prove himself innocent,” he said.

He alleged that the ousted PM was maligning the Supreme Court by saying that the decision against him was “unjust” and implying that the army was behind his ouster.

Referring to the Iqama (work permit) possessed by several lawmakers, he claimed that these were obtained from Gulf states for the purpose of money laundering. “An Iqama is taken to collect corruption money and launder it to the UAE,” he said.

Mr Khan asked the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to distance itself from Nawaz Sharif and not defend his “corruption”.

“Is the PML-N responsible for defending Nawaz Sharif’s corruption? Please stay away from him, because no one can save him from accountability. I can bring ten times as many people on the streets than Nawaz Sharif can, but this does not mean I have a licence to commit corruption,” he added.

Mr Khan alleged that over Rs200 billion was being distributed among the new cabinet members, in a bid to win people’s sympathies for the party and Nawaz Sharif. “Do whatever you want, defeat is your destiny,” he added.

Gulalai’s allegations

Talking about Aaisha Gulalai, who has levelled allegations of sexual harassment against the PTI chief, Mr Khan rejected the proposed ethics committee of the National Assembly and demanded a transparent inquiry into the matter.

“You should follow the UK parliament, where a parliamentary commissioner for standards is appointed as an independent person to judge cases like Gulalai’s to see whether they are genuine or not,” he said.

The PTI chairman claimed that the issue had been raised at the behest of the government and it would be unfair if the committee was formed by the government, as they would be sitting in judgement themselves.

When asked if he was willing to offer his Blackberry phone for examination, he declined, saying: “Evidence is provided by the person who levels allegations, it is her responsibility.”

Mr Khan also demanded that the case of Ayesha Ahad, who claims to be the spurned wife of PML-N MNA Hamza Shahbaz, should be investigated.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2017