News Analysis |
The alleged video scandal of the Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has been discussed by the government, opposition and media to access its future implications. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, senior vice President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has hinted at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s possible role in the scandal and demanded a parliamentary committee to probe into it.
“We did not get justice but we want that NAB chairman [Javed Iqbal] gets justice. As per rule 244b of National Assembly, a committee should be formed for investigation into the matter pertaining to NAB chairman and those involved should be exposed before the public,” he said.
PM’s Involvement?
Dr. Nafisa Shah of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) said that her party was not interested in anyone’s personal life but she maintained that investigation should be conducted in order to determine the truth about the incident.
This is a perfect case of sexual harassment. The chairman NAB holds a powerful position and by using his office he is having an inappropriate relationship with a woman, he added.
Both mainstream opposition parties, PML-N and PPP, believe that the news was broken by NEWS ONE, whose owners have been media consultant to the Prime Minister, which clearly indicates the involvement of the PM office in this case. The government says that no notification was ever issued in this regard.
جس ٹی وی چینل پر چیئرمین نیب کے مبینہ اسکینڈل کی خبر چلی،
اُسکے مالک کا وزیراعظم ہاؤس میں حکومتی عہدے کا نوٹی فی کیشن جاری ہوا تھا یا نہیں؟
دیکھیے نوٹی فیکشن جاری ہونے سے نہ جاری ہونے تک کا سفر۔۔ pic.twitter.com/D0dRf3GbwB— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) May 24, 2019
The opposition also argues that the NAB chairman has recently stated to get tougher on the government and to arrest those involved in corruption or misuse of authority. Through leaking a video, the opposition believes, the government intends to pressurize the NAB chairman to immediately resign and new chairman on ad hoc basis may be appointed.
Read more: Allegations of sexual harassment against Chairman; NAB demands probe
The government has rejected the allegations of the opposition and has maintained that those involved in corruption want to evade the accountability process. Therefore, said Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, the opposition wishes to get the chairman resigned and halt the process and delay all the pending and ongoing cases against PPP and PML-N leaders.
NAB Chairman an Honest Man?
Moreover, Law Minister Farogh Naseem has said that the Prime Minister does not wish to replace the chairman NAB. While speaking on Geo News’ show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ the law minister maintained that no allegations have been leveled against the NAB chief, which could suggest that he is a honest person. “The NAB chairman is an honest man and the anti-graft body needs such a person. The government has neither pressurized the NAB, nor will it do so,” he told the anchor.
I understand what does privacy mean? But I also understand what constitutes sexual harassment and if the video circulating on social media is for real.
Another Case of Sexual Harassment?
Professor G-M Pitafi of UMT is surprised to learn that the focus of the opposition and the government is on as to who leaked the video but not on the video itself. “I am shocked. I have watched many talk-shows and everyone is talking about the leaked video. Has anybody asked as to how can a NAB chairman use his office for flirting and elicit relationship with a woman accused by the NAB?” he pointed out.
He further says that in Pakistan, powerful men, including the police, demand sexual favors from the women being investigated in any case. “This is a perfect case of sexual harassment. The chairman NAB holds a powerful position and by using his office he is having an inappropriate relationship with a woman,” he added.
Read more: DISGRACE: Indian chief justice under fire over ‘sexual harassment’ allegations
Dr. Pitafi also clarified that “I am not concerned about anyone’s personal life. I understand what does privacy mean? But I also understand what constitutes sexual harassment and if the video circulating on social media is for real, which I believe is, the chairman NAB should be investigated and held responsible for sexual harassment.”