Did not take a single day’s pay during my 10 years: Shehbaz

Opposition Leader in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said he did not take even a single day’s pay during his 10 years as Punjab chief minister.

Speaking to media outside the accountability court, the former Punjab chief minister expressed reservations about the health of Nawaz Sharif, who is incarcerated at Kot Lakhpath jail in the Al-Aziza Steel Mills case. “Nawaz Sharif underwent open heart surgery a year and a half ago,” he said. “The government is not taking Nawaz’s health issues seriously. Nawaz is not well and the government is showing carelessness,” he alleged. “The government will be responsible if something happens to the former prime minister,” he warned.

Responding to a question about the recent unanimously passed legislation in the Punjab Assembly about increase in salaries, perks and privileges of the provincial lawmakers, Shehbaz said he never took any allowances as chief minister. “The allowances approved by the Punjab Assembly are beyond my understanding,” he said, adding that as chief minister, he would use his private car. “I did not use government money for health expenses. I paid for all expenses out of my own pocket,” he added.

Earlier, the accountability court adjourned hearing of Ramzan Sugar Mills and Ashiana Housing Scheme cases against Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz till March 27.

As accountability court judge Jawad-ul-Hassan resumed hearing of the cases, Shehbaz Sharif pleaded not guilty by stating that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has falsely accused him in the cases. To which, the judge responded, “You can convey your reservations at an appropriate time as the case is not being adjudicated by me.”

Subsequently, due to absence of the admin judge, the hearing of the case was adjourned.

Lahore Development Authority (LDA) former director general Ahad Cheema, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad and other accused also appeared before the court.

Published in Daily Times, March 17^th 2019.