Qabza groups standing with Imran: Hamza

Ag Agencies

LAHORE: Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N MNA and son of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, on Friday appeared before a National Accountability Bureau team and faced investigations for more than two hours in the Saaf Pani Company scam.

Hamza appeared before the investigation team led by NAB Assistant Director Saqib Haider. Earlier, the bureau had sent a questioner based on 13 questions to Hamza. It has been learnt that Hamza told the investigation team that he participated in meetings of the Saaf Pani Company as PML-N member but not as board member of the company. Moreover, his participation had been requested by the company. After facing the investigators, he talked to the media and said he was not a member of the Saaf Pani Company. He said no one was above the law and his hands were clean. “I faced six-month jail term during former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s tenure. Even today, I am ready to face any kind of investigations. There is no difference between Hamza and a common man.”

He said: “We were also investigated in the time of Musharraf but they found nothing. The true picture will come before all soon. Qabza groups are standing on the right and left of Imran Khan. Which accountability he talks about? People have not forgotten use of government helicopter by Imran Khan and the Swiss accounts of Asif Ali Zardari. Power is nothing, the real thing is honesty.” Like his father, he didn’t comment on a query related to the ongoing political narrative of “aliens”.

The NAB had summoned Hamza, stating that during the inquiry of the Saaf Pani Company scam, it has been revealed that you (Hamza) were in possession of information or evidence related to the scam as you attended various meetings of the said company. It is pertinent to mention here that that the NAB has already summoned Shahbaz Sharif on June 4 in the same scam. Previously, the bureau had recorded statements of MPA Waheed Gull and Punjab Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha.

The NAB has so far arrested five accused in the scam. They are: Dr Zahiruddin, Muhammad Saleem Akhtar, Nasir Qadir, Khalid Nadeem Bukhari and Masood Akhtar. Zahiruddin had been working as chief technical officer (CTO) in the Saaf Pani Company and Nasir Qadir as chief procurement officer (CFO). All clean water projects in the province are running under the Saaf Pani Company and the arrests were made in a single project. There are many other projects which are yet to be probed by the NAB.