Pervaiz Rashid records statement before FIA in Arshad Malik video probe

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator and former premier Nawaz Sharif's close aide Pervaiz Rashid on Monday recorded his statement before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that has been investigating into the purported videotape(s) in which accountability judge Arshad Malik had allegedly confessed to have convicted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the AlAzizia Mills reference for seven-year imprisonment under pressure.

Citing strict security measures ahead of his appearance at FIA's

Lahore branch, the senator expressed surprise and asked "why so much security has been set up for him only?" "Are so many policemen deployed to conquer Kashmir?" he questioned ironically. He talked to the media after recording his statement, and lashed out at the ruling PTI by stating that the government has become "a name of putting political opponents in jails."

"The FIA is being used [as a tool] […] before me other partners were summoned," he said, adding that the work was being taken from the FIA which doesn't fall under its jurisdiction. "That person who had used to say that he wouldn't give a NRO, has now been giving a NRO to his friends," he responded, while referring to an amendment made to the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, promulgated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government through a presidential ordinance.

The senator, about Monday's quiz, remarked that he was asked questions in a disorderly fashion. "I was asked that who were present during the press conference [you have] called me here to ask this?" "Everyone knows who was present at the press conference," he said.

Mr Rashid's appearance before the FIA has followed PML-N deputy secretary general Attaullah Tarar's quiz before the same investigation team on Dec. 27. Tarar affirmed that any evidence that could be helpful in proving the innocence of Nawaz Sharif should have been brought forth.

Earlier, an FIA team had raided the Model Town Secretariat - the central office of the PML-N in Lahore, and seized key records in connection with the judge video scandal.

The team had recorded statements of people who were present in the office, while some important videos were also seized. According to sources, the FIA team was fearful that some of the concerning record might have been hidden after summon of Tarar and Rashid.