NAB can continue endless probing: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was free to investigate the Multan Metro project millions of times.

Addressing a ceremony, he said those levelling false allegations must be exposed and held accountable, adding that the Chinese company, which levelled allegations against him, had been blacklisted by China.

“Who will blacklist those who hurl false allegations against others”, asked the chief minister. He said the nexus between a private TV channel and SECP had been proved wrong [exposed], adding that media must avoid allegations and highlight shortcomings with sincerity.

He said Punjab government, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, had spent spending billions of rupees and completed the federal government’s national highway projects, said Shahbaz. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government took a loan for the Peshawar Metro project. “On the other hand, we are spending from our own pockets on projects worth billions of rupees,” he added.

The statement came as the China Securities Regulatory Commission blacklisted a Chinese company Jiangsu Yabaite Technology Co Ltd for fraudulent activities. Earlier in the day, an Indonesian delegation headed by Alwi Shihab - special envoy of Indonesian president for Middle East and OIC – along with his top 10 representatives met Shahbaz.

The delegation discussed matters of shared interest and the possibilities to enhance collaboration in diverse fields. It also proposed establishing Indonesia-Pakistan Friendship Tower in Lahore.

The chief minister said CPEC had produced tremendous investment opportunities, attracting international investors from all around the globe to invest in Pakistan and Punjab. He promised that the Punjab government would assist and facilitate every project.

Shihab said the visit had been very productive in terms of exploring the vast investment potential and identifying prospective joint venture partners available in the province in automobile, infrastructure and oil sectors.

Separately, Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai, who called on Shahbaz, stressed the need for transforming Pakistan-Japan relations into economic cooperation. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister called for the enhancing the volume of bilateral trade between the two counties. “There is a great potential of investment in different sectors in Punjab,” he said, adding that an environment conducive to investment had been developed.

Also on Thursday, Shahbaz said the government had protected the interests of the farmers in the past and the same would be done in future as well. “I shall go to every extent for securing stakes of the farmers of Punjab. Sale of sugarcane at the rate of Rs 180 per maund will be ensured at every cost,” he said.

Talking to a delegation of Kissan Ittehad, the chief minister said the sugar mills were to give original receipt to the farmers and the mills giving any temporary receipt would be prosecuted. Action would be taken against the owner upon the complaint of decrease in price or the sugarcane weight, he added.

The chief minister, constituting a committee to implement the decisions made for the farmers, said the body would review the implementation status, adding that strict action would be taken in case of any leniency.

Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif, in a message on the national day for the rights of working women, said providing complete protection and security to the womenfolk working in different departments along with their male colleagues was the ultimate aim. The chief minister, through another message, expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the death of sister of Senator Prof Sajid Mir, chief of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith.