ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on Thursday asked chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present evidence in the money laundering allegations against him in 24 hours or tender resignation.
Speaking at a press conference, Nawaz expressed his concerns over NAB’s press release issued on May 8. He asserted that NAB chairman has made the former premier’s character assassination and media trial his mission.
“I have pointed towards the biased attitude of NAB several times. Chairman NAB’s press release confirmed my statements. The report of World Bank was made foundation of the case while distorting the facts,” he asserted.
“A three-time prime minister has been accused of transferring $4.9bn to Indian exchequer and committed money laundering. The nature of the allegation is serious and shameful. Ignoring it means to risk the democratic system,” said Nawaz.
“It is being said that this amount damaged the national foreign exchange reserves and strengthened Indian ones. Such allegations are unacceptable. The institution established in the name of accountability has become a body of accusations against me,” maintained Nawaz.
The PML-N supreme leader went on to say that the NAB references filed against him are also based on media’s survey report.
“Many people were included in it but nobody focused on them. When political opponents approached Supreme Court, the petition was dismissed. What happened later that the same plea became significant,” he asked.
The former premier affirmed that he will not apologize or ask for mercy if jailed.
Meanwhile, responding to Nawaz Sharif’s demand of either submitting evidence or tendering resignation, National Accountability Chairman (NAB) Javed Iqbal on Thursday stated that if carrying out accountability was a crime, then it would continue [in the future].
Justice Javed Iqbal inquired that whether it was an offence to probe those who indulged in corrupt activities. Money laundering allegations: Submit proof or go home, Nawaz tells NAB chief
The incumbent NAB chief made it overtly clear that neither NAB was panic nor was it afraid. “Unabated corruption will not go unchecked in country from now onwards. Lay man will not feel content till complete annihilation of menace of corruption”, clarified Iqbal.
The anti-graft watchdog categorically dismissed allegations about alleged humiliation during NAB’s proceedings.
“Process of accountability is in greater interest of the country. It is watchdog’s primary duty to ask from guardians of national exchequer that where sum of money is spent”, stating Iqbal while adding that NAB did not have enmity with any specific individual.
It is worth here to mention that both anti-graft watchdog and ruling PML-N had been exchanging heated arguments ever since former sent notice to latter’s supreme leader over alleged money laundering. – NNI