Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Friday criticised a privilege motion by the opposition in the National Assembly, calling it an “attempt to influence” an ongoing investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Commenting on the motion submitted by the opposition against the various television interviews given by the director general of NAB Lahore, Chaudhry said, “It is not appropriate to move a privilege motion on an ongoing investigation.”
DG NAB Lahore Saleem Shehzad appeared on Geo News’ show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Thursday night, where he said that the anti-corruption watchdog would file a reference against Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif by the end of this month. The official also accused Shehbaz’s son-in-law Ali Imran of depositing official cheques in his personal account.
Citing a breach of the privilege of the members of the opposition in the National Assembly, the opposition leaders submitted a motion which objected to the “media trial” of the opposition members and urged “immediate intervention” of the House.
However, the information minister asserted, “The motion is an attempt to influence the investigation.”
Stating that they “will have to see where the matter started from”, Chaudhry said, “The opposition leader in NA [Shehbaz Sharif] gave a speech on the NAB case on the floor of the House.”
“MNAs cannot be treated differently than common people,” he added.