Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif accused the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday of showing ‘ill-intentions’ during the probing unit’s summons.

Earlier today, CM Punjab appeared before the NAB committee probing Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme case to record his statements. The duration of the meeting between Shahbaz and the probing team was one-and-a-half hours.

Talking to a press conference after his appearance before the committee, Shahbaz said that he could have issued a written statement to NAB, but appeared before the group since he is a law-abiding citizen, while also saying that “the summons by the body were based on ill intentions.”

CM Shahbaz also stated that during his meeting with the committee, he asked numerous questions regarding the case but the probing unit had no answer to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader’s queries.

He also said that he has a responsibility as the CM to ensure government functions properly, while he also asked the attendees whether saving money for the nation was a crime.

“As the chief minister, I am the in-charge of the province, the government functions due to performance. Is it a crime to save money for the nation?” said Shahbaz.

NAB had issued a notification on January 17 saying that an inquiry is being conducted against official of Development Company (PLDC), Lahore Casa Developers, Lahore Development Authority and others pertaining the housing scheme case.