PML-N is not afraid of accountability by the NAB :Senator Pervaiz Rashid

Lahore: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was not afraid of accountability by the National Accountability Bureau as it had been facing such trials for many years.

Talking to reporters here, he said the present NAB was set up by former dictator Gen (retd) Pervaiz Musharraf to victimize PML-N chief Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The Bureau could neither prove any wrong-doing against the PML-N leadership in the past nor would be able to do so in future.

The minister said the PML-N had only expressed reservations about certain NAB laws while the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf  government of Imran Khan amended certain accountability laws in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and sacked the provincial Ehtesab Commission chief as well.

As regards the assets, he said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had declared even a single penny he owned as every parliamentarian declared his assets before the Parliament.

Replying to a question, he said the PML-N was not afraid of accountability. The Benazir Bhutto and Pervaiz Musharraf regimes had launched accountability against the PML-N but could not prove
anything against it.
He said accountability law was included in the Charter of Democracy (CoD) which was signed by the two major political parties of the country in 2005 while the present NAB laws were jotted down by Pervaiz Musharraf, who had founded a “Musharraf League” enforcing these laws. Some persons had left the PML-N for fear of accountability and joined Pervaiz Musharraf, he added.

The minister said the PML-N had been facing accountability for years and now it was the responsibility of its government to put the institutions on the right direction. “The PML-N will improve the NAB
laws so that no honourable person is publicly ridiculed for no crime,” Pervaiz Rashid added.

About Mustafa Kamal’s revelations, he said if Mustafa Kamal had undeniable proofs of connection between Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Research and Analysis Wing of India then he should present the same in the committee formed by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

He said everyone knew the circumstances in Karachi when the PML-N government was sacked in 1999. Many towering personalities like Hakeem Saeed, Shahid Hamid and Syed Salahuddin were murdered. “The PML-N had to sacrifice its government in the Sindh when it launched investigations to nab the killers,” he added.
Responding to a question, he said Pervaiz Musharraf strengthened those elements by making their entry into the corridors of power in Sindh. Those elements and PTI Chief Imran Khan had flanked Pervaiz
Musharraf during the referendum campaign to perpetuate the former’s dictatorial rule.”Pervaiz Musharraf and Imran Khan should also be investigated for backing criminals in Karachi,” he stressed.

About Imran Khan’s revelations about the RAW, the minister said Imran Khan must be held accountable for hiding facts about the Indian intelligence agency for almost 12 years.
About Hussain Nawaz Sharif, he said nobody could run an illegal business in the United Kingdom. No allegation had been leveled by the British government against the PML-N government while politically motivated mud-slinging against leaders was common in Pakistan.

About the opposition of Women Protection Bill 2015, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said the bill had been passed by the Punjab Assembly. Since the law was promulgated in the Punjab only, therefore, persons domiciled in KP should not be wary of it.

Regarding participation in the T20 World Cup in India, the minister said that Pakistan was willing to send its cricket eleven if India assured security. India should exhibit the same large-heartedness and sportsman spirit which Pakistani crowds had extended to the Indian teams in the past.
“Pakistan wishes to play in every country and expects the other countries to reciprocate so that our playgrounds bustle with life and activity,” he added.

Earlier, addressing the oath-taking ceremony, the minister said people who provided comfort to the others and created ease for the masses were working according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to the earth as a blessing.
‘All of us must account for our actions and words, and see whether other people are not hurt by our action.”

Pervaiz Rashid said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) preached to treat others with kindness. “The people who kill others tread on the path to hell.” The minister later administered oath to the newly elected
office-bearers of the Advertising Booking Centers Association (ABCA) Lahore.