PM Shehbaz says ‘double standards’ of the National Accountability Bureau pushed the country towards destruction
LAHORE, Feb 11 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that the “double standards” of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) pushed the country towards destruction.
The prime minister made these remarks while speaking during a ceremony after laying the foundation of the Bab-e-Pakistan project, which is a national monument and the upgradation of Walton Road in Lahore. Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Saad Rafique, Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and other officials were present on the occasion.
Speaking about the alleged graft in this project, the premier raised questions about the NAB’s performance that targeted innocent people but failed to summon those involved in such cases as this.
“I wish no one goes to NAB’s akhuwat khana, not even my enemy. Innocent people were pushed against the wall. [But] this project, where billions were misappropriated, did NAB look into the elements who indulged in corruption in this project?”
“It was the double standards that had caused harm to Pakistan. The rule of ‘might is right’ must be buried forever by the 220 million people of the country,” he said, adding the country could not move ahead on the path of progress and prosperity unless they collectively resist these tendencies.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said that they were passing through hard times, but it was his firm conviction that with collective efforts, sacrifices and hard work, they would overcome these difficulties.
He said all segments of the society, including the elite class, will have to come forward and support the nation with generosity, adding that there was no other way to reach to destination except adherence to these qualities.
Recalling the journey of the Bab-e-Pakistan project, the prime minister said Nawaz Sharif laid its foundation stone in 1991 and then in 1997 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came to power and work on the project was expedited.
Regretting this place was still in ruins, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that this was supposed to be a venue for national and international visitors, adding that there would have been a monument here with a library.
During Pervez Musharraf’s rule, Shehbaz Sharif said, he was told that Rs900 million worth of white granite was to be imported from Italy for this monument.
“When I asked why, the consultant said that without this granite, the creation of Pakistan is unimaginable. I told him that Pakistan could not afford this. He replied that nothing can be done now and that they have given an order. I also gave him an order that this Italian granite will not be imported. That person filed a complaint against me,” said the premier.
The PM said he refused to carry on with the project with that said consultant, adding that the contractor was a “fraud” who had no experience but was given the project without bidding.
The prime minister, at the start of his speech, talked about the history of this place, saying that they had once again gathered at the historic place for which millions of migrating Muslims from the sub-continent had offered historic sacrifices, and strived under the great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, for the creation of a separate homeland.
The premier said that they came across the worst kind of carnage, with thousands of children and women braving the onslaught on their way to the newly created homeland.
Referring to the Walton Road, the prime minister said it was the place where thousands of migrants from India took refuge and the locals supported them which renewed the precedent of Ansar-e-Madina. The unique precedent would always be remembered, he added.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said he was at the project again after years but it was still in “ruins”. “I will talk about it when the IMF agreement reaches its conclusion. But I want to talk about the historical place that how billions of Pakistan rupees were misappropriated.”
He then asked why the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) never looked into the alleged graft in this project. “I wish no one goes to NAB’s akhuwat khana, not even my enemy. Innocent people were pushed against the wall. [But] this project, where billions were misappropriated, did NAB look into the elements who indulged in corruption in this project?”
He said until such a system was “buried”, the country cannot progress and see development. “The picture of the past that I painted today is to lay the facts before the nation. There are several other projects that were lost to corruption but no action has been taken.
“But we should not lose hope. We are also going through a difficult time, and if we endeavour round the clock and if the well-off do their part, this ship will reach its destination. The only condition is that we have to work day and night.”
He then thanked the National Logistics Cell chairman and expressed hope he would complete this project and work round the clock.
“I request Caretaker Punjab CM Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi to support this project and so will other departments. This is not a 10-15 year delay. This is a 20-25 years delay. I urge everyone to play their role and complete this [project] collectively.”
Under the project, a memorial will be built on Walton Road in the Punjab capital by establishing a museum, auditorium, art gallery and library to commemorate the sacrifices of those who left their homes to live in Pakistan during the independence of 1947. The project, which was first proposed by the late Governor Ghulam Jilani Khan in 1985 and approved by then president Ziaul Haq, has not been completed as of 2023 despite the attempts made by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1991 and the late retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.
Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Saad Rafique said the site for the national monument provided the first home under the open sky for the hundreds of thousands of refugees who migrated from their home to Pakistan in 1947. He said the PML-N in its every tenure took steps to complete the project.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the Bab e Pakistan project was properly launched in 2010, however no serious work could be done so far. He appreciated the relevant departments and institutions for cooperation in the renewal of work on this project of historical importance.