PML-N, PPP appointed NAB chairman: Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) appointed the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Addressing the National Assembly, the information minister dismissed PML-N President Shehbez Sharif's allegations that the PTI and NAB "have an unholy alliance" and said, "We did not appoint a single person in the accountability bureau."

"Officials in NAB were appointed by the previous governments and not even a sweeper in the bureau has been hired by us," he added.

The information minister asserted, "Not even a single case against the Sharif brothers was initiated by us."

Further, commenting on Shehbaz's speech, Chaudhry said, "I was very glad that the opposition leader repeatedly said he will be ashamed and leave the Parliament if corruption is proven against him but I want to ask if the same rules apply on his brother."

"I want to also clarify that cases against Shehbaz will not affect Pakistan and China's relations," he added while dismissing the PML-N president's statements. "Today, our relations with UAE, China, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia are the strongest they have ever been and are continuing to gain strength."

He further commended the NA speaker for issuing Shehbaz's production orders and said, "The government stands with the opposition on several matters."

However, Chaudhry questioned, "Why does the opposition get worried whenever we talk about catching thieves?"

"Each and every penny in the national exchequer belongs to the people and will be spent on them," he added.