NAB, Ehtesab Commission used for political engineering: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Wednesday that the institutions like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the former Ehtesab Commission led by Saif-ur-Rehman were used for political engineering.

However, he said, the NAB, has crossed the line by putting its hand on the independent media. He said that the government never tolerates criticism. Speaking in Geo News programme ‘Aapas ki Baat’, he said the government’s performance is not improving that is why it pressurises those who criticise it. He said the arrest of Editor-in-Chief of Jang/Geo Media Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is an unprecedented step taken by NAB.

Bilawal said the role of the NAB is very disappointing and he believes that it will be used for political engineering and pressuring the critics in future as well. He said harassing the media owners in old cases is condemnable. He demanded the government to release Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman immediately. He said democracy cannot function properly without independent media.

The PPP leader said if Prime Minister Imran Khan has big heart, then he must not confront with the political opponents and independent media. He said putting opposition into jails depicts a fascist and dictatorial mindset.

About the FIA report on sugar and flour crisis, Bilawal said that in normal conditions, the opposition would seek resignations from those in power, but in the current circumstances, the whole focus should be made on combating the challenge of coronavirus. He said he would not repeat what the PTI used to do when it was in opposition i.e. seeking resignations every now and then even over fake reports.

He said the government should fully focus on coronavirus handling as people’s health comes first than other considerations.