NAB Lahore summons three PTI lawmakers over corruption allegations

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned three lawmakers from Punjab belonging to PTI, including a provincial minister, in relation to corruption allegations, Geo News reported Friday.

The accountability watchdog has summoned Punjab Minister for Labour and Human Resource Ansar Majeed Khan Niazi on August 19 in an investigation pertaining to posting and transfer.

The anti-graft body has directed MPA Ghazanfar Abbas Chheena to appear before it on August 17 at 11am. He is facing allegations of having assets beyond means.

MNA Malik Karamat Ali Khokhar has been summoned on August 13 for acquiring assets beyond known sources of income.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is also facing allegations of allegedly using his influence in the issuance of a liquor licence to a hotel. The chief minister has been directed to appear before the bureau on August 12.

Also read: NAB summons CM Punjab for allegedly issuing liquor license to hotel

The recent call-up notices to the ruling party members by the accountability watchdog come in the backdrop of the Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) statement urging Pakistani authorities to rein in NAB against political opponents.

Pakistan’s parliament should carry out urgent reforms to make the anti-corruption body independent, the HRW said.

"In its decision, the Supreme Court also expressed concern about the use of the NAB as an instrument to target government opponents," read the statement.

"The court cited a February report by the European Commission that criticized the NAB for bias, noting that 'very few cases of the ruling party ministers and politicians have been pursued since the 2018 elections, which is considered to be a reflection of NAB's partiality,'" it added.