Ministers, DG ANF spar over Rana Sanaullah case

ISLAMABAD: The issue of drugs case against opposition stalwart and President Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Punjab Rana Sanaullah Khan dominated the proceedings of the federal cabinet on Tuesday as the cabinet was given an exclusive briefing by Director General Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Major General Arif Malik who along-with Minister of State for Interior Shaharyar Afridi threw light on the circumstances in which Rana Sanaullah was apprehended and consigned to prison where he was kept for six months. Sana was granted bail by the Lahore High Court (LHC) last week.

The ministers reportedly indulged into argument with the DG ANF over the handling of the case. The DG ANF and Shaharyar Afridi had to face tough questioning by the members of cabinet on account of perception that has developed about the whole episode and the authorities are seen in the dock. The administration is facing embarrassment on account of the whole episode.

Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema was loud with his reservations. The PML-Q lawmaker asked for evidence and proof of the offence and reminded his colleagues that “hollow swearing does not matter but evidence in such cases”.

He was referring to Shaharyar Afridi’s time and again swearing about the case that has become laughing stock in the media and people at large. Some ministers came out with criticism about the agency which instituted the case and maintained that the burden of the whole case has come on the prime minister due to follies of the agency concerned as opponents are alleging that the case is fabricated.

Major General Arif Malik refuted the allegations and claimed that the case was built on merit. According to a private news channel, quoting sources, the DG ANF during the briefing claimed that Rana Sanaullah’s assets are worth between Rs25 to Rs30 billion. He informed the cabinet that ANF’s lawyer is paid Rs0.1 million per month and on the other hand Rana Sanaullah is represented by a retired judge while noudge was willing to hear this case.

The DG ANF revealed to the cabinet that Rana Sanaullah inherited a four-marla house and now his assets are worth between Rs25 to Rs30 billion. On this, the prime minister remarked that ANF is fighting the mafia and directed to provide full legal support to the ANF.

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry criticised the ANF’s handling of the case as there was stark contrast in claims made in the press conference and FIR. Shireen Mazari questioned that why this case was not videotaped as it’s a norm to videotape every case these days. The minister for communication said the opposition took advantage the situation and the mafia has defeated ANF’s procedures. The DG said that ANF is unbiased and works on basis of proof, not political affiliations.

Tariq Bashir Cheema asked that why such a high-profile case was handled like a normal case. The DG said the ANF proceeded with care because the accused was a high-profile politician. He further added that the ANF is independent institution and will continue to work as per law.

Major General Arif Malik later met the prime minister separately to brief him about some hidden aspects of the case in the presence of Shaharyar Afridi. The sources revealed that majority of the cabinet members were disturbed about the developments, and they were not fully satisfied about the explanation given by the minister and agency chief. Shaharyar Afridi also passed the buck to the chief by saying that whatever he narrated was told by the major general. The sources said that the whole case would be reviewed in the light of briefing given by the two to the cabinet as the prime minister will make his own assessment in the matter

The cabinet also decided that the two houses of parliament would be provided ample opportunity to have candid debate regarding the NAB amendment ordinance. Imran Khan assured the federal cabinet that he would also take part in the proceedings when the two houses of parliament will be in session and discuss the legislation. He assured that the government would welcome and consider the proposals and amendments in the bill brought by the opposition in the course of debate.

In the light of discussion in the cabinet, the session of the National Assembly and Senate were summoned for today (Wednesday). The SAPM on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, told the media after the cabinet meeting that the government will follow due process for implementing the newly-approved National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Amendment Ordinance 2019 and a proper debate will be held on it inside the parliament. She lashed out at the opposition’s ‘hypocrisy’, saying that for the past 11 years, they wanted the NAB laws to be amended and when the government has finally taken a step, they are objecting to the amendment. “Although, they are internally overjoyed, they are criticising the government over a goodwill move for the sake of their politics,” she said, adding that the opposition’s attitude over the matter is inappropriate.

Speaking about the other decisions by the cabinet, she said that the government will release financial assistance for the poor in January 2020 as Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to take responsibility for the weaker segments of the society. “The cabinet appreciated the premier’s initiatives for establishing shelter houses for needy people,” she said. Dr Firdous said that the prime minister also discussed the closure of sugar mills and he will chair a meeting of the price review committee today (Wednesday) to monitor rates of cotton, sugarcane and sugar. The cabinet, she noted, decided that Imran Khan would launch next week a comprehensive programme worth Rs06 billion to provide essential edible items on subsidised rates to the people and edible items like flour, sugar, ghee, and pulses would be provided on subsidised rates through the Utility Stores of Pakistan across the country.

The SAPM said the government has approved publication of 2008’s financial assessment report of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and issuance of the financial card is also being made in accordance with the survey report. She said that in January, the premier will launch the financial assistance card to meet the basic needs of marginalised segments. She said that a briefing was given to the cabinet members over financial matters of the current year. “The authorities witnessed a 40 percent reduction in trade balance besides recording 4.7 per cent increase in exports whereas 73 percent improvements were seen in current account deficit as compared to the previous year,” she said. “Tax collection also rose up to 17 percent and export rate recorded up to $10.3 billion while the situation of foreign investment has also improved,” she added.

Dr Firdous said the government has also decided to appoint Muhammad Hashim Raza as chief executive of small and medium industries.

“The cabinet has sent back the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Amendment Act to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) again,” she said, adding that a bill regarding conversion of the National College of Arts (NCA) into an institute was also passed in the latest meeting.

Dr Firdous said that the decision to appoint Shahid Khan as Managing Director of Oil and Gas Company was also approved by the cabinet during the meeting.

The prime minister has directed to expedite progress on Ehsaas and Kafalat programmes. The premier has declared 2020 as the year of a stable economy besides holding a detailed discussion for making improvements in the economic roadmap of the country. The cabinet also discussed the NAB Amendment Ordinance 2019 that had removed troubles of the business community. She also spoke about the expulsion of over 800,000 people from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The special assistant said that unmerited people were expelled from the BISP programme as many government employees were getting benefits illegally from the poverty alleviation project. She vowed that deserving people will get relief from the government under the Ehsaas programme.

The cabinet lauded PM Imran's efforts for occupied Kashmir, demanded all global institutions to take notice of the situation in the Muslim-majority region, and strongly condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intended move to eliminate the minorities through the controversial citizenship law -- the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. The cabinet also passed a resolution condemning state oppression and brutalities carried out against the people of IOK by Indian security forces for the last five months.

Shahzeb Khanzada, the anchor of Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, stated in his programme that during the meeting, Interior Minister Brig (R) Ijaz Shah said that the drug recovery procedure in the case has not been followed and the relevant laws have not been followed. He raised a question: "How should government defend this case?"