Federal cabinet approves appointment of ex-DG IB Aftab Sultan as NAB chairman


ISLAMABAD, July 21 (SABAH): The federal cabinet has approved appointment of ex-director general investigation bureau (IB) Aftab Sultan as a chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Briefing media persons here on Thursday about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet, which met with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the credibility of Aftab Sultan is beyond any doubt. He expressed the confidence that the new NAB chairman will make the accountability watchdog impartial to check corruption in the country. Rana Sanaullah said that he is hopeful that Aftab Sultan will write new history in NAB and will move forward the process of accountability in best way.

Rana Sanaullah said the federal cabinet also took stock of baseless and unfounded allegations made by Chairman PTI Imran Khan against Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja. He said the cabinet lauded performance of the CEC for holding transparent, credible and peaceful by-elections in Punjab.

The interior minister said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) does not believe in sale and purchase of votes. He said it was Imran Khan and his party that massively used money and aeroplane to buy members’ loyalty just after the General Elections of 2018.

Talking about upcoming run of election in Punjab Assembly, the minister said, “We will exercise all our political options to win that election in a legal way and without using money.” He said that run of election for chief minister Punjab is being held on the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan, adding that Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and Chaudhry Parvez Elahi are the candidates.

Rana Sanaullah said that results of the bye-elections on 20 seats could not be taken as standard to evaluate the popularity of any leader, adding that the narrative of the PTI will fail in the next election.

Rana Sanaullah said that the possibility is even present today that the people present in PTI and whose conscience is alive and sensible will not cast vote in favor of Parvez Elahi as CM Punjab. He said that in past Imran Khan was used to call Parvez Elahi as biggest dacoit of Punjab and now he is asking people to cast vote in his favor. He said that it is possibility that some people say why we should cast vote in biggest dacoit of Punjab to make him chief minister.

Rana Sanaullah said that PML-N is not involved in buying and selling in past and will not do the same in future but PML-N politically thinks that Parvez Elahi did not enjoy right and capability to be elected as leader of the house in Punjab Assembly so he should not be elected as chief minister Punjab. He said that the honorable members should not waste their votes in this way, adding that run of election is going to be held in Punjab assembly today (Friday) and we will enthusiastically exercise our political options. Rana Sanaullah said that he thinks politically that not only five but 50 members of PTI would have been thinking that whatever is being done is wrong and they could use their vote otherwise or could abstain.  

Meanwhile in a tweet, Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the federal cabinet has approved the nomination of Aftab Sultan as Chairman of NAB. He is a man of impeccable integrity having an impressive past record. We are hopeful that he will be able to steer the accountability drive without any partisanship, he said.

In a separate tweet, Rana Sanaullah Khan said that it is quite ironic that Imran Khan who stole the mandate of the people of Punjab in 2018 elections is accusing others of changing the loyalties. He is a habitual liar who knows nothing but propagating lies, everyone is cognizant of his horse trading during different elections.

Meanwhile, during in an interview with a private TV channel, Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that allegation against the incumbent government over buying loyalties of members of Punjab Assembly is just part of propaganda.

He said that loyalties two MPAs belonging to PML-N were purchased including Maulana Giasuddin from Shakargarh and Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri from Sheikhupura by giving Rs 100 millions to each. He accused Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and another person for handing over this amount to the said MPAs for changing their loyalties, saying it has been their routine while they accuse others for this.

The interior minister said if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership has proofs against the government for changing loyalties of members then they should make them public, adding they hurl lame accusations as it has been a routine matter for them.

He categorically asked Pervaiz Elahi and relevant people to come forth and tell have not they given Rs 100 millions to Maulana Gias and Mian Jaleel Sharaqpuri for buying their loyalties.

Rana Sanaullah said that his statement earlier on Monday, claiming that five PTI MPs could “disappear” during the voting for Punjab’s chief minister being held on July 22 was to convey that it might happen that such small number of just five members may remain absent due to reason one or the other.

He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) filed a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court against him while knocking the doors of courts is a futile effort as these are political matters need not to be sorted out in courts.

On a query regarding formation of government in Punjab by the PTI and its allies, he termed it not a child play, saying same will happen which happened with PML-N in the federal.

When asked PTI leaders claiming that they will stop the entry of Rana Sanaullah from Punjab, he said, if it happen then he will stop them from entering Islamabad and Bani Gala.