PTI moves against Shahbaz, Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to initiate legal proceeding against Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and son-in-law of prime minister MNA Capt (R) Muhammad Safdar.

PTI’s Central Information Secretary Naeemul Haq told a media conference here that his party leader Jehangir Khan Tareen was serving a showcause notice on the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for issuing a wrong statement against him.

He alleged that a fake document of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was issued from the Prime Minister House on this count. Naeemul Haq charged that the PML-N MNA Captain (R) Muhammad Safdar had not mentioned the asset details owned by his spouse Maryam Nawaz in his statement of assets submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Replying to questions, he said the Panama Leaks issue could be settled only if the government spoke truth about the Sharif family’s offshore assets. “We will stop the ongoing movement if the government frames the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the proposed commission as per our demand,” he emphasised.

Asked about the PTI’s policy on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he maintained that his party fully supported the multi-billion dollar project and wished its realisation without troubles. He dispelled the impression created by the government that the PTI’s sit-in in 2014 had caused economic losses.

Naeem said they had served a notice on Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid for misleading ads, misusing taxpayers’ money against the PTI’s foundation day event here in Islamabad on April 24. Through the notice, the party sought explanation from him regarding the contents of the ads and as to what was the source of funds, behind this drive on media.

Meanwhile,  Jehangir Tareen sent Rs10 billion damage notice to Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday. It was stated in the notice that Jehangir Tareen was recognised among high and transparent business personalities of Pakistan. He had paid Rs13.58 billion tax in last five years. It was stated in the notice that character assassination of Jahangir Tareen was carried out by making a worthless letter of State Bank of Pakistan a base and genuine letter of the SBP was deliberately concealed from the media and nation.

It was also stated in the legal notice that Shahbaz Sharif should apologise publicly for character assassination on fraud otherwise legal action would be taken against him.