Shahbaz Sharif should learn lesson from Aleem Khan and resign from PAC post: Nadeem Afzal Chan
Until a few years ago, Nadeem Afzal Chan used to defend selflessly the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the media, especially on TV channels, thanks to his clan’s, the Gondals’ years-long association with the PPP. Four members of the family made it to national and provincial assemblies in the 2008 elections on the PPP ticket. Nadeem’s uncles Nazar Gondal and Zulfiqar Gondal were elected MNA and MPA. He himself was elected an MNA and his younger brother Waseem Afzal Chan an MPA. Initially, he used to be a backbencher in the PPP cadre but the party’s mainstream politicians began noticing him when he started loyally defending the party on TV talk shows. He would not spare his own party from his stern criticism when it came to the wrongdoings of some of the party leaders as well. The mild-mannered, outspoken Chan would often struggle for words to explain the change of heart and loyalty by his uncles and brother who left the PPP and joined the PTI in 2106. He resisted the PTI lure until April 2018, when he abruptly resigned from the PPP Punjab general secretary post and joined the PTI. On 15 January 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed Chan his spokesperson and special assistant to the prime minister. This week Truth Tracker, talked exclusively to Mr Chan to discuss ongoing issues.
Truth Tracker: The PTI made tall claims before elections that after coming into power, it will revive and boost the economy. Since its inception, we see that the PTI is unable to stabilize the economy. What measures the PTI government is taking for the revival of the economy?
NAC: The PTI government is busy taking important steps for the revival of the economy and is also trying to strengthen the country’s industrial, trade and social sector development on priority. Among them is ensuring a friendly environment for the business community and in this regard, it has been working on long- and short-term strategies for the betterment and revival of the country’s economy. There is the reason for the poor economy and it is due to PML-N’s anti-workers policies like the privatization of national institutions which damaged the economy of the country.
The 2018 elections were conducted in a free and fair manner in the history of the country without any institution’s support. The present problems which were faced by the country are results of wrong policies of the previous governments. The present PTI government is not responsible of the bad condition of financial matters of the country. You can see the PML-N ruined the PIA, Steel Mills and other national institutions and inflicted loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer. The government is well aware of the issues of the people and will play its role to address it.
The government is making its house in order before going to the International Monitory Fund (IMF) for avoiding strict conditions of the IMF.
We are making efforts to bridge the gap between exports and imports of the country, so giving judgmental statements against the performance of any government during the initial five months is not fair.
We want to provide permanent relief rather than short term. The government would consult all stakeholders over all the national issues. The construction of dams was essential for producing cheap electricity in the country.
Let me assure you, Prime Minister Imran Khan is very sincere to the country and he is taking many steps to raise the living standard of the poor people.
Truth Tracker: We have witnessed that after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested PTI leader Aleem Khan, he resigned from the senior minister of Punjab post. Do you think that Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif should follow his footsteps?
NAC: Aleem Khan is not making a hue and cry like Nawaz Sharif while facing the law of land. The resignations of PTI leaders Aleem Khan, Jahangir Khan Tareen and Azam Swati from party posts and ministries depict the real face of democracy and true culture of a political party.
It is a basic principle of the PTI government that whosoever holds a public office and facing NAB cases would resign from his post.
In my opinion, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Shahbaz Sharif should follow PTI leaders and should recues himself from the post as he is also morally bound to do so. Shahbaz has been accused of mega corruption in NAB investigations, he has no moral ground to hold a PAC post, which holds the accountability of public institutions.
The PTI government wanted to make legislation on public interest issues in Parliament but opposition parties are making an undue hue and cry just to escape from accountability.
The government would not surrender before corrupt elements and will pursue all ongoing corruption cases till their logical conclusion.
The government was ready to remove a loophole in the NAB law (if any) in order to make it more effective and vibrant. The PTI under the leadership of Imran Khan is against all kind of political victimization and it is evident of the fact that now there was not a single political prisoner in the country.
The government is in the favour of accountability across the board and looters should face the law of land instead of looking for an escape route.
Truth Tracker: Do you think that Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Khan Buzdar dealt with the Sahiwal incident in a timely manner?
Nadeem Afzal Chan: Yes, in my opinion, prompt actions were taken by Mr Buzdar on this tragic incident to provide justice to the victim family. The chief minister took exemplary actions to punish the perpetrators of the crime. A joint investigation team (JIT) has been constituted on the incident which has presented its initial report. It should make clear that the innocent people were killed in Sahiwal incident.
Compare it with the previous governments no such actions had been taken by the previous governments on such incidents in the past. After JIT’s initial report, the Punjab government dismissed and posted many police officers who were involved in the incident, the justice would be provided to the bereaved family.
The PTI government is taking measures to improve and streamline the system. National institutions are working independently for the development and betterment of the country.
Truth Tracker: How do you see PM Imran Khan’s recent official tour to Qatar? Can we call it a successful tour and how it would benefit Pakistan?
NAC: The recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Qatar has great importance as different issues, including the economy, energy, and peace, were discussed. Pakistan and Qatar are enjoying cordial relations with each other.
Let me assure you, Mr Naqvi, that the incumbent government would not hide any agreement from the parliament as were hidden by the previous government of PML-N.
In the parliamentary form of government, it is the parliament which empowered the prime minister.
