Broadsheet has 'embarrassed NAB-Niazi nexus': Marriyum Aurangzeb

• PML-N spokesperson says that Broadsheet, with its revelations, has "given a charge sheet against a dictator and a selected ruler”
• Aurangzeb stressed that the discussions held between Shahzad Akbar and the British firm should be made public

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ISLAMABAD: PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb on Wednesday said that British firm Broadsheet has brought great shame to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)-Niazi nexus and to former president Pervez Musharraf.

While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Aurangzeb said that the “selected” prime minister, through his political statement, has asked his opponents to "talk about the Broadsheet issue".

She said that the opposition parties do not hold any intention “to make use of a dictator's conspiracy against the country" to obtain a concession under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

Read more: NAB - Broadsheet saga: Pakistan pays Rs4.59 bn to British firm for lost case

Broadsheet, with its revelations, "has given a charge sheet against a dictator and selected ruler”, she said.

“Pervez Musharraf gave Rs6 billion to a private company. He did not give Rs6 billion out of his own pocket; the dictator used the people's money against democracy,” she said.

The 'NAB-Niazi nexus'

The PML-N leader further said today the that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) "basically tells the story of a nexus with Niazi".

“NAB documents showed that billions were recovered, but Pervez Musharraf did not pay Rs25 million because there was no recovery. Lies were told. Pervez Musharraf, PPP, and the PML-N did not give money to Broadsheet because it was all lie,” she lashed out.

She maintained that Advisor on Accountability Shahzad Akbar held talks with Broadsheet on the orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that there was no official agreement between NAB and Broadsheet.

Aurangzeb then asked: “In which public treasury was the recovery that Broadsheet claims was made was deposited? That recovery is going to the NAB-Niazi nexus.”

'Everything is a lie'

Broadsheet has revealed that the Sharif family did not contact the firm, she said, adding that if there is no agreement between NAB and Broadsheet then why would Sharif family contact the firm in the first place.

“First Musharraf caused damage to the national exchequer, now Imran Khan gave Rs4.5 billion to the British firm," she added.

Aurangzeb stressed that the discussions held between Shahzad Akbar and the British firm should be made public.” "How much commission was taken? An investigation should be done,” the PML-N lawmaker said.

Taking a hard stance on the PTI-led regime, Aurangzeb said that Broadsheet has brought great shame to PM Imran’s advisers, the "NAB-Niazi nexus", and former president Pervez Musharraf.

The PML-N spokesperson said that "the biggest money laundering in the history of Pakistan is unfolding today".

“Imran Khan, you are sitting on your post and looking for NRO, [but] we demand your resignation,” Aurangzeb asserted.

Read more: Hussain Nawaz says Broadsheet case in UK court 'a conspiracy that failed'

She went on to say that Broadsheet has "exposed the outdated system and the conspiracies that have been hatched against the prime ministers elected through a dictatorial system".

“A dictator [Pervez Musharraf] gave Rs6 billion to a company registered six months prior. The amount was given to file a case against the elected prime minister,” she alleged.

'Some became precious to NAB while others became its victims'

She said that Broadsheet was asked to file a case against Nawaz Sharif. The company was given a list of political rivals to file a case and those who were part of Musharraf's cabinet were ordered to be removed from the list.

“Some became precious to NAB while others became NAB’s victims,” she added.

Maryam Aurangzeb said that billions of rupees were recovered, according to NAB and government documents. "Pervez Musharraf did not give Rs4 million to Broadsheet. There was no recovery, forgery was done,” she said, adding that the British firm has said that Shahzad Akbar and NAB’s attitude was “very disappointing”.

“Imran sahib paid Rs4 billion because dictatorial thinking still prevails in the country,” Aurangzeb claimed.

Broadsheet exposed Pakistan's ruling elite: PM 

Earlier in the day, the premier said that the Panama papers exposed the corruption and money laundering of Pakistan's ruling elite and now they have been exposed again after the Broadsheet revelations.

Inter-ministerial committee formed

A day earlier, Minister for Information Shibli Faraz said that an inter-ministerial committee has been formed to probe the Broadsheet LLC scandal.

An interview of Broadsheet CEO Kaveh Moussavi has surfaced on YouTube in which he makes several claims regarding the firm's investigation into the assets of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif held abroad.