Media insulting political leaders : Spokesman Punjab Government

Lahore : Spokesman Punjab Government Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan has said that propaganda campaign regarding Multan Metro Bus project is being run on the basis of baseless allegations. He said that the company against which allegations are being leveled has no link to this project. Some sections of media are insulting political leaders without enquiring the matter which is against the established principles of journalism, he added.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference. The spokesman said that a futile effort has been made to involve Punjab government and Punjab Chief Minister in this matter on the basis of fake documents in a programme of the channel.

He said that according to news channel, Chinese company Yabeat and Capital Engineering and Construction Private Limited worked directly or indirectly in Multan Metro Bus Project or were awarded contract as sub-contractor. This matter was fully investigated and it was revealed from the record that Capital Engineering and Construction Pvt. Ltd. is neither any company registered nor it has any account.

He said that those leveling baseless allegations that Capital Engineering and Construction Pvt. Ltd. got work in phase three of Multan Metro Bus Project, all this is based on lie as neither any work has been given to such a company nor any business was given to it as a vendor.

The spokesman contradicted the accusation that Punjab government is using delaying tactics in replying to the letter of Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. He said it is necessary to clarify that first letter of SECP was received by Chief Secretary and after thorough investigations; its reply was given on March 13. According to the news channel, the Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif gave a certificate in appreciation of Chinese company and it has his signatures, he added.

He said that this letter was replied on the same day, August 16 and government wrote that this letter is fake and concocted. Such a letter of appreciation was not issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, he added. Malik Ahmed Khan said that the attitude of News Channel is against interest of the country and said that making joke of public representatives should be avoided as such a campaign will leave a negative impact on country’s economy.

He said it is judged from the campaign of this news channel that it is its propaganda that not country should make investment in Pakistan as according to the channel, God forbid, Pakistani politicians are not honest and they will not work honestly.

The spokesman said it is a matter of concern for such a news channel that it is working against the interests of the country. He said that legal notice has been served to ARY channel.

He said that 48 hours have been given for proving baseless allegations true otherwise legal action will be taken against them.

He said that we will not allow any media house to insult any noble man. He said that if this is media trial then we are ready for this media trial and will give reply to the allegations leveled in documentary form. If these proved as false then they will have to seek pardon from the people.

He said that leveling baseless charges against public welfare Multan Metro Bus Project is against morality.