LAHORE: The PML-N leadership has directed all its members in the national and provincial assemblies from Punjab to accompany party’s vice president Maryam Nawaz to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office at Thokar Niaz Beg here on Friday where she has to appear in the probes into money laundering and illegal acquisition of land allegations.

Following the PML-N’s decision to gather maximum party leaders and workers outside the NAB provincial headquarters on March 26, the bureau also decided to seek “foolproof security” from Rangers and police.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Ms Nawaz remained undecided about seeking a pre-arrest bail in the illegal acquisition of land case.

“Maryam is in two minds whether seeking bail will be beneficial politically since the relief of pre-arrest bail does not last beyond a few months in NAB cases,” a PML-N leader told Dawn.

The NAB Lahore is probing Ms Nawaz as part of a money laundering investigation in connection with the Chaudhry Sugar Mills and 148 kanals of land that she allegedly purchased in Lahore illegally.

PML-N plans show of power on 26th

In the money laundering investigation, she has been on bail since November 2019.The anti-graft body had also moved the Lahore High Court seeking cancellation of her bail. The court has issued her a notice for April 7.

Not only have PML-N MNAs and MPAs been directed to reach the NAB office, but the party’s Lahore chapter office-bearers and provincial party ticket holders have also been tasked with gathering as many workers to put up a strong political show.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also announced that the workers of his party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, would also accompany Ms Nawaz.

“All PML-N lawmakers in the national and Punjab assemblies will accompany Maryam Nawaz on her appearance before the NAB Lahore on March 26,” PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah confirmed in reply to a question.

When asked if Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz would also be with her, Mr Sanaullah tactfully avoided giving a clear answer. “Today, Hamza Shehbaz and (PML-N secretary general) Ahsan Iqbal attended a meeting on [the matter] and everyone will go to the NAB office along with Maryam,” he said while talking to reporters at the party office in Model Town here on Monday.

Recently, reports of a conflict between the two cousins – Maryam and Hamza – surfaced over each other’s style of politics, which were rejected by the former.

Mr Sanaullah claimed that thousands of party workers would be present outside the NAB office to express solidarity with Maryam.He warned against creating hurdles in their way as they would remain peaceful.Critical of the bureau’s role in targeting the opposition leaders, Sanaullah said: “NAB’s call-up notice to Maryam is illegal and unconstitutional. It has been issued on the directions of (adviser to PM) Shahzad Akbar.”

The PML-N leader demanded withdrawal of the notice forthwith. He also challenged the bureau to arrest Ms Nawaz and warned of consequences. He reminded the NAB chairman of the fate of former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar after his retirement. “The NAB chairman (retired justice Javed Iqbal) should not take illegal steps on the pressure of the PTI government or Shahzad Akbar. Akbar seems to possess two to three videos of the NAB chairman that is why he is being blackmailed. The chairman, who is retiring this year, must remember that he has to live in this society. Look at Baba Rahmatay who cannot face the public [fearing] the people’s wrath,” Sanaullah remarked.

When asked if PPP workers would also be invited to accompany Ms Nawaz, PML-N Punjab Information Secretary Azma Bokhari told Dawn that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazl might invite the PPP leadership. About Hamza’s plan to lead the lawmakers, she said: “He is expected to lead, but I cannot confirm.”

The NAB had summoned Ms Nawaz in August last year, but clashes between PML-N workers and police broke out outside its Lahore headquarters upon her arrival to record a statement in an investigation against her.

The NAB said in a statement on Monday that according to “some media reports” its building might “come under attack” from political workers and others on the occasion of Maryam’s appearance before the bureau on Friday.

“To ensure foolproof security, NAB has decided to seek help from law enforcement agencies – police and Rangers. The bureau has also decided to get NAB headquarters declared a red zone and an application is being submitted to the authorities concerned,” it stated.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2021