Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif addressed the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Taking to the floor of the House, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly said, " I want to thank you [NA Speaker Asad Qaiser] for keeping party politics aside and issuing my production orders." He then thanked Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leaders of the Awami National Party and MMA, National Party member Hasil Bizenjo and "all friends".
"If my inhibition isn’t wrong, it is the first time that the elected leader of opposition has been arrested in such a manner and that even without any charge," he continued.
"I won’t speak about the merit of the cases but I want to discuss the unholy alliance between the National Accountability Bureau and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)," Shehbaz said.
"PTI and NAB work closely," he claimed while adding that the accountability bureau is targetting opposition parties.
The PML-N president further said, "Prime Minister Imran Khan is the product of electoral rigging." Stating that it has been proven that the 2018 General Election was rigged, the leader of the opposition in NA said, "Either the July 25 polls were rigged or the by-polls were."
Elaborating on his allegations, Shehbaz said, "Terrorism cases were filed against us on May 13 and NAB chairman has prepared my arrest orders between July 5-6. However, the decision to arrest me was implemented ahead of the by-polls."
He continued, "Sheikh Rasheed had said I will be put behind bars and there has to be a reason behind his statement."
Speaking about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz's arrest, Shehbaz said, "For the first time, a father was imprisoned in front of his daughter and a daughter in front of her father even though NAB court's verdict says that no corruption could be proven. Nawaz still left behind his sick wife, who is no more today, and came back to satisfy his conscience."
Shehbaz added, "We expect the speaker to rise above likes and dislikes and to take action against intrusion in democracy."
"As a public representative, Pakistani and a humble political worker I want to tell you [NA Speaker] that I have done nothing except for serving the people honestly," he said and added that the Parliament will have to decide whether the "law of the jungle" will prevail.
Delving into details regarding the Ashiana Housing Scheme, Shehbaz said, "A NAB official told me that there are no corruption allegations against me, but that I used my position to give the contract to former army chief General (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's brother to please him. However, I met Kamran Kayani for the first time in 2008. He had been awarded the contract by the Punjab government that was led by Pervez Elahi."
"I did not go into the credentials of the contract as thought it had to do with NAB or the previous government. However, when work was not being done I took up the matter with General (retd) Kayani who told me that I could cancel the contract if I pleased but I asked him to warn his younger brother instead."
"However, when I saw that Kamran was not listening to friendly advice I cancelled the contract," Shehbaz said as opposition members broke into applause. "Till date, the former army chief has not questioned me regarding cancellation of his brother's contract which goes on to show his integrity."
"An inquiry under the supervision of then finance secretary Tariq Bajwa, who is the current governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), was carried out into the contract. I had forwarded the inquiry report to the anti-corruption department and had I not, then it could be alleged that I tried to protect Kamran Kayani," Shehbaz thundered.
"I was given a notice in the Saaf Pani Case stating 'come, we will make you have potable water', but then I was told that I am being arrested in Ashiana Housing Scheme case. What is this joke?" he asked.
"Is this tabdeeli that you snatch morsels from people," he questioned.
Earlier today, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, who has been in the NAB's custody since October 5 in connection to the Ashiana Housing Scheme case, was brought to the Parliament House by a two-member team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
He was brought to Islamabad from Lahore earlier today for the session. At the Parliament House, the NAB team handed over Shehbaz to the deputy sergeant at arms, who signed on documents regarding the opposition leader's brief custody.
In his chambers, Shehbaz changed his outfit and met Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah.
Last week, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser issued Shehbaz's production orders.
The NA session has been summoned on a requisition of PML-N leaders. Shortly after Shehbaz's arrest, a PML-N delegation had visited the NA speaker's house and requisitioned that a session of the Lower House be called immediately to debate over the matter.
On Tuesday, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) agreed upon a strategy to deal with the possible protest that the opposition may carry out during the session today. During an important meeting summoned by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the PTI decided that it would have strong responses in light of the realities of the Opposition's criticism. It is noteworthy that there is a high likelihood that Khan, himself, would also attend today's NA session, sources noted.
A day earlier, an accountability court in Lahore granted NAB a 14-day extension in the physical remand of the former Punjab chief minister. Shehbaz was arrested on October 5 when he appeared before NAB to record his statement in the Punjab Saaf Pani Company case.
