ISLAMABAD: Religious leader and media personality Agha Murtaza Pooya on Tuesday denied that the US ambassador in Pakistan had told him about the ‘35 punctures’ by former caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Najam Sethi in the context of the 2013 general elections. “It’s a downright lie. The American ambassador had never told me any such thing,” Agha Pooya told The News. “I vehemently deny any conversation between me and the US envoy in Islamabad on this issue.” Pooya’s name came into the light when on Tuesday PTI leader Naeemul Haq said the American ambassador had told Agha Pooya that an American agency had taped a conversation between Najam Sethi and Mian Nawaz Sharif in which Najam Sethi had talked about 35 punctures. “I deny all this. The American ambassador had never told me any such thing. In fact, he never talked to me on this matter,” said Pooya. The story of 35 punctures was first concocted by one Ejaz Hussain, an England-based person, who in his e-mail to ARY’s Mubashir Luqman coined this and declared Dr Shahid Masud a liar in the context of his claim of breaking the non-existent issue of 35 punctures. In his recent private conversation with an important figure, American Ambassador Richard Olson also confirmed having not talked about 35 punctures and taping of such conversation between Najam Sethi and Mian Nawaz Sharif. PTI leader Imran Khan has constantly been accusing Najam Sethi of making 35 punctures and even linked Sethi with the award of PCB media rights to Geo just for the sake of mudslinging.The media rights to Geo were awarded through a transparent process and the PCB Media Rights Committee, which awarded this contract, was headed by former ICC chief Ehsan Mani. Ehsan Mani is also the Chairman of the Audit Committee of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Lahore. However, when Najam Sethi appeared before the Judicial Commission headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Imran Khan’s counsel did not ask or raise any question about 35 punctures to the utmost surprise of all. Imran Khan has been accusing Najam Sethi on public forums, media and everywhere but his legal counsel did not raise the question of 35 punctures before the Judicial Commission on Monday when Najam Sethi appeared as a witness. On his part, Najam Sethi did file a defamation suit against Imran Khan and Dr Shahid Masud.After Imran’s repeated non-appearance in this case, the court fined him Rs5,000. However, after paying the fine, Imran Khan’s lawyers sought more time for reply, which he has not filed with the court yet. Dr Shahid Masud, however, took a new stand that he was repeating what Imran Khan was saying. With Pooya’s categorical denial, the balloon of lies relating to 35 punctures has been punctured and now Imran Khan and those who concocted all this have become a laughing stock.
