Dr Malik refutes charges of corruption

Uproar in Balochistan Assembly over fund embezzlement

QUETTA: Balochistan former chief minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch delivering his speech in the provincial assembly refuted the allegations of financial corruption against him as he said that he never indulged in embezzlement of government funds.

He said that some big names of the previous government were involved in selling out lands of Reko Diq and Gwadar.

He demanded formation of inquiry committee of the House to probe allegations of corruption against him and the opposition leader.

An uproar reported in the session of the Balochistan Assembly over financial corruption of suspended finance secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Raisani when the treasury and the opposition benches exchanged hot words leveling allegations against each other.

The assembly session held with Speaker Ms Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani in the chair here on Saturday evening.

The Deputy Opposition leader and MPA of Awami National Party Eng Zamarak Piralizai soon after start of the assembly session stood from his seat and sought permission to speak out over corruption case against suspended finance secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Raisani.

He however was not given permission to speak out. But Mr Piralizai continued speaking.

He said that several big names were involved in massive corruption of funds of Public Sector Development Programme and Local Government Department.

He said that Mushtaq Raisani alone was not involved in massive embezzlement of government funds and added that there were several other names who played role of his accomplices.

He demanded resignation of the Balochistan cabinet.

Provincial Minister Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal moved the resolution which reads that before the passage of 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the federal government provided financial assistance to retired labourers through Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) Pension Workers Fund under Workers Welfare Funds Ordinance 1971.

The resolution demanded of the provincial government to approach the federal government to keep payments under EOBI Pension Workers Fund under its control.  The speaker put the resolution to the House which passed it unanimously.