PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has backed the statement of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif about uprooting corruption, saying his party has been demanding even-handed accountability of corrupt elements.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday, he said that the entire nation was with the army chief on the issue of corruption as people wanted corruption-free society. He said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had disclosed that corruption of Rs12 billion was committed every day.

“Now NAB needs to be jacked up to improve its performance,” said Mr Khan. He added that every Pakistani supported Gen Raheel on the issue and wanted independence of NAB, FIA, FBR and other institutions.

PTI chairman challenges prime minister to prove allegations against him

When asked about the Bank of Khyber scandal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PTI chief said that the issue indicated that institutions in the province were becoming independent and gaining strength. He said that managing director of the province’s bank had complained about political interference.

The managing director had accused finance minister of political interference in the bank’s affairs and did not mention corruption, he said. “It shows that institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are becoming independent which is encouraging. People may not even think about such trend in Punjab,” he added.

Mr Khan said that a committee would present its report about the dispute between the finance minister and BoK managing director within 48 hours. He said that he had met Finance Minister Muzafar Said and officials of the bank and the issue would be sorted out in the light of the committee’s report.

The PTI chief came down heavily on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for endorsing allegations of Defence Minister Khwaja Mohammad Asif, who claimed that corruption had been committed in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Lahore.

He challenged Nawaz Sharif to prove his allegations about the hospital where 70 per cent patients were getting free treatment. He said that PML-N had been in the government in Punjab for the last eight years so it should take action against him (Imran) if it had any credible information and proofs.

“Why you don’t take action against me if I have committed corruption in the hospital’s funds,” he asked the prime minister and alleged that Nawaz Sharif was trying to blackmail leaders of other political parties including PPP if opposition pressed the government to conduct investigations in Panama Papers leaks.

“I regret statement of Nawaz Sharif who levelled baseless allegations against a hospital that serves poor patients,” said the PTI chief and vowed that his party would contact all political parties to work out joint line of action in the aftermath of Panama leaks.

Mr Khan said that instead of blackmailing opposition, Nawaz Sharif should follow British Prime Minister David Cameron, who produced details of his income tax in the parliament. He said that prime minister knew nothing about democracy. Former president retired General Pervez Musharraf was far better than Nawaz, he added. The PTI chief said that it was fundament right of the people to arrange peaceful protest rallies or meetings everywhere in the country. Peaceful protest was beauty of democracy and the government should not ban such activities, he said, adding that PTI would hold historic rally in Islamabad on April 24.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan has appreciated the students and staff of Peshawar Model School Charsadda branch for taking active part in fund raising for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.

Nusrat Nazir, the principal of the school, who along with the students was invited to a ceremony held at SKMCH&RC Lahore to receive prize for their contribution, told journalists here on Tuesday that they would continue to take part in such activities to help needy and deserving people of the country.

The school stood seventh among the institutions of the country for collecting huge donation and Imran Khan gave certificates and shields to students and teachers, she said.

The principal said that students of the schools had displayed banners inscribed with appeals for donations on Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway and collected amount from the motorists.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2016