Shehbaz Sharif slams govt for delaying forensic report on sugar, wheat crisis

LAHORE: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday slammed the government over delaying inquiry commission’s forensic report on sugar and wheat crisis. 

In a statement, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President termed the delaying tactics as conspiracy, adding that the government cannot conceal the facts for long. 

Sharif said, “That the head of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and other officials involved in giving subsidy are responsible for the sudden hikes in the prices of the food items”.

He said that forensic audit of the matter is no more required as accused persons have been identified in the preliminary report. He also called the inquiry commission biased.

Earlier today, it emerged that the inquiry commission, probing the sugar crisis, had sought three more weeks for compiling a report on the sugar crisis.

In a tweet, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar said that the commission had asked for an extension and the federal cabinet would consider their request on Tuesday.

Sugar forensic Commission report was due today, however the Commission has requested the fed Gov for extension of time (3 weeks) for submission of a thorough report, their request will be considered by the fed cabinet on Tuesday. @pid_gov @PTIofficial

— Mirza Shahzad Akbar (@ShazadAkbar) April 25, 2020

Shehbaz said “The delay in the report is validation of the government’s theft of Rs100 billion. It is an attempt to protect those responsible for the sugar crisis.”

“Hiding the report would not hide Imran Khan’s crimes. The nation is aware of who stole wheat and sugar. There is no further need for inquiry or forensic audit,” he added.

He also called for PML-N members — Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khurram Dastagir to be included in the inquiry commission, adding that then “matters would be clear”.

The FIA inquiry report on sugar and wheat crisis had revealed names of many important person, including Jahangir Tareen, who had allegedly benefitted from the crisis.

After the release of the report, the opposition had demanded that the PM Khan take severe action against those who had been declared responsible for the crisis.

PM Khan had also vowed to take action, however said he would do so after receiving the forensic audit report from the commission that he had constituted on the recommendation of the ‘initial’ reports.