NAB and PTI are in an unholy alliance, Shahbaz tells NA

islamabad — Denying corruption charges levelled against him, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shahbaz Sharif, on Wednesday demanded setting up of a joint House committee to probe corruption charges against him.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he said, “If charges were proved against me, I should be punished. I had served Punjab province, burnt midnight oil for progress of the province and history will one day vindicate me. I will continue serving the people till death.”

The PML-N president has been in custody of the NAB since October 5 in the Ashiyana-i-Iqbal housing scam. His production orders were issued by NA Speaker Asad Qaiser last week, after the opposition requested him to convene a session.

“This is the first time in history that an opposition leader was arrested without any charges in such a hasty manner,” said Shahbaz, adding he did not want to discuss the merit of the case against him. “I want to talk about the unholy alliance between PTI and NAB.”

“During the election campaign, I openly said that PTI and NAB are arm in arm.

He pointed out that only PML-N members were arrested by the NAB and that his arrest came right before the by-elections. “But man imposes and God disposes,” said Shahbaz, adding that despite all efforts, PMLN members won many seats [in the by-polls] that were won by PTI previously.

Shahbaz, speaking about the references and verdicts against his brother Nawaz Sharif, said: “NAB court’s verdict [in Avenfield reference] clearly says that no corruption could be proven against Nawaz Sharif.”

“Yet, he was arrested. He came back, leaving behind his very sick wife who is no more today, to satisfy his conscience. “We need to find answers to this. You are the custodian of this House, Mr Speaker,” said Shahbaz. —

This is the first time in history that an opposition leader was arrested without any charges in such a hasty manner

Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N president