Daily Times

The government is scheduled to refer to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) four new cases against Nawaz Sharif and his family; including both misuse of government funds and authority. This latest charge-sheet revolves around a hitherto undisclosed London property.

Frederick Close, which reportedly has a market value of up to £2.3million, was previously registered in the name of the late Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. The deeds have subsequently been transferred to Hassan Nawaz. Yet the contention is that the thrice-elected Prime Minister failed to declare this asset. Despite it being incumbent upon each and every citizen to file a wealth certificate; not to mention the more stringent rules for those seeking public office. And while documents regarding ownership and rental income are known to date back to 2012 — it has not been confirmed when this property came into the family’s possession. Though land registry records indicate that it was sold in March of this year. It is therefore hoped that the British authorities will shed light on all these matters at the earliest. Not least because the Sharifs would have had to pay capital gains tax to the UK authorities. And if the charge of purchasing this property by way of ill-gotten gains sticks — then it will raise serious questions. Including what happens to tax that is paid under less than legit circumstances; as well as which nation has due ownership of these funds. Given that a double taxation treaty is in place between Pakistan and Britain, none of this should become a legal minefield of any sort.

Imran Khan and the PTI swept to power on a predominantly anti-corruption campaign. And, at least on this front, there have been no U-turns. That being said, however, it must be noted that neither the Centre nor NAB was responsible for bringing Frederick Close to public attention. Rather, it was a case of journalists doing their job. A fact noted and appreciated by Shahzad Akbar, the special advisor to the Prime Minister on Accountability; who observed that representatives of the fourth estate remain a crucial government partner in bringing those implicated in financial fraud to book. Thereby underscoring the significant role that an independent media has within a functioning democracy. And not just when the political set-up and the fourth estate happen to be on the page. But in the day-to-day business of the latter fulfilling its mandate of providing checks-and-balances. Towards this end, therefore, it is expected that the Khan regime will stand by recent announcements that it will clear the backlog in advertising dues left by the last government. Not to mention taking seriously the concerns of a once vibrant media that is suffering an upsurge in censorship.

As far as Nawaz goes, it looks like he will be out of political action for the foreseeable future. Moreover, if he wants to continue laying claim to being the so-called peoples’ choice of PM — he will have to come clean about his financial dealings. If he does not, allegations of being witch-hunted will begin to fall on increasingly deaf ears. The PTI must now let NAB do its job; while reminding the Bureau that Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf still has to be face due process. For accountability can only be called as much when it is across the board.  *

Published in Daily Times, November 19^th 2018.