Claims and counterclaims as govt, PML-N spat on 'NRO' continues

The government's chief spokesperson Shibli Faraz and the spokesperson for the PML-N, Marriyum Aurangzeb, were embroiled on Sunday in another spat over the "NRO" (National Reconciliation Ordinance), a term used in political circles to allege the seeking of amnesty for serious crimes.

"History stands witness that time and again the PML-N leadership has chosen to escape the country and the law," wrote Faraz in a tweet to which documents showing proposed amendments to the accountability law were attached.

Responding to the information minister's tweets, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the "incompetent blue-eyed boys cannot even legislate, which is why the National Assembly speaker formed a parliamentary committee for the review of FATF laws".

She said that approval for the committee had been accorded by the entire parliament.

"Shibli sahab, did the speaker ask for an NRO? Did the entire parliament ask for one?" Aurangzeb asked.

She said that by "waving these documents about in the public eye", Faraz was accusing the speaker and the parliament as well of seeking amnesty.

The PML-N spokesperson said that the committee formed includes government officials who are "sought in cases pertaining to Malam Jabba, BRT, Billion Tree Tsunami, helicopter use, 23 secret accounts, foreign funding corruption, and are accused of stealing flour and sugar".

"They are being provided concessions for the past two years," she added.

Aurangzeb said that meanwhile, the opposition has already served jail sentences and remained incarcerated in NAB custody. "Their innocence has already been proven by the Supreme Court and high court verdicts, besides human rights organisations speaking out against the apparent NAB-Niazi nexus," said the PML-N leader.

She asked whether it is the opposition who would then "seek an NRO" or would the government representatives who "including the prime minister and president are absconding in ECP and NAB cases and do not appear before the court".

"We had challenged Imran Khan sahab earlier as well to contemplate on who it is that is actually seeking an NRO from whom," Aurangzeb said.

The PML-N spokesperson said that the party had already said the "selected prime minister has no standing to even grant amnesty under the NRO".