ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem on Thursday appealed to opposition parties to support PTI government for approval of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) bills, being presented in the next session of the parliament.

Giving vote in favour of FATF by Opposition parties was vital to protecting Pakistan from plunging into black list that could create financial and business trouble for this country, he said in an interview to a television channel here.

In the larger interest of the people of Pakistan, the opposition benches would have to convince the political forces for taking a solid decision regarding FATF, he said, adding “after the approval of the bill, we can handle financial, social, economic and business matters in a proper manner”.

Commenting on Karachi situation, he said: “It was the failure of Pakistan People’s Party government in Sindh, which could not pay proper attention for the people of this big city.”

After the 18th Amendment, he said it was the total responsibility of the provincial government to look into the issues of the provincial areas. About local government system, the minister said, “Empowering local bodies will help resolve civic amenities.”

To a question regarding fake medical reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, he said the court had granted bail to him, on medical grounds. He further said that Nawaz Sharif would have to submit edical reports to the court, otherwise, Shahbaz Sharif, who was the guarantor of his brother, could face trouble like Yousuf Raza Gillani.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2020