Hamza urges PM Khan not to hide behind NAB

LAHORE: Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz Tuesday alleged that Imran Khan was behind the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) urging the prime minister not hide behind the anti-corruption watchdog.

"Niazi sahib is behind the NAB. He should not hide behind the NAB after the arrest of Shehbaz Sharif," Hamza said, while speaking to media here.

He lamented that the one who served the [Punjab] province for ten years is held without any allegations.

"Niazi sahib can't see Aleem Khan's loans," the opposition leader said. "He can't see encroachment of Bani Gala land, before removal of carts of poor vendors."

He said he had been appearing before the NAB for 10 years during the reign of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

"We are not the ones who would be scared of prisons. [We] have also seen the Attock fort," Hamza said, advising the prime minister to focus on performance for that is what people see.

He further said that they were not desperate for coming into power, adding, "For now, let us enjoy being in opposition."

The opposition leader further said that if Maryam Nawaz could go to jail then an explanation should also be given regarding Aleema Khan's offshore companies.

He answered in the affirmative when asked if he thought his father would be acquitted in Ashiana Iqbal housing scheme case.

Hamza further noted that his party emerged successful from Lahore, Swat, Faisalabad and Attock in Sunday's by-elections.

"Imran Khan lost the seats he withdrew from after one-and-a-half month. The people expressed their trust in Nawaz Sharif's leadership," he said.

"The people have begun accountability of Niazi sahib's U-turns from the by-elections."