Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to continue indiscriminate accountability of people involved in a recent sugar crisis in the country.
At a meeting, which took up a forensic report on the sugar scandal, sources said the prime minister looked unhappy with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, who he calls Wasim Akram Plus, for giving subsidy on sugar export. The prime minister expressed his displeasure with the Economic Coordination Committee and Punjab Cabinet’s decision to give subsidy on export of sugar.
It seems that a tough time is ahead for CM Buzdar, Federal Minister Asad Umar and Abdul Razzak Dawood, adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce, for giving subsidy on export of sugar. According to the sources, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) would investigate all these people for the recent sugar crisis. Sources said the prime minister told the NAB authorities to first investigate those in the government for the sugar scandal.
Departure of senior PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen to London also came under discussion at the meeting. Tareen is said to be at the centre of the recent sugar crisis in Pakistan that made prices of the commodity shoot up. According to the sources, the prime minister was already aware that Tareen was travelling abroad for his medical treatment.
Sources said the prime minister told the meeting that accountability was part of the election manifesto of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) therefore people should see the accountability happening. Sources said the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to take indiscriminate action against people involved in sugar scandals since 1985. At the meeting, the prime minister was informed about those who received monetary benefits during the last government’s tenure.