Veteran PML-N lawmaker Khwaja Asif cited a recent statement of the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), according to which Rs 6-7 billion corruption was being committed in Pakistan on a daily basis, and blamed the government for the prevalence of this menace.
On a point of order, he disagreed with a government move to form a committee to probe into the matter, saying no committee was needed to identify corruption. "Railways, PIA, Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) are a few examples of government departments where corruption is going on unabated and everyone is aware of this fact," he said. Accusing the government of having failed to curb corruption, he wondered how it was possible that core reasons behind corruption could be identified just three months before the expiry of the government's five years tenure.
In response, PPP's Chief Whip Syed Khurshid asked the opposition party to guide the government, instead of criticising it. He informed the house that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had taken notice of the issue and constituted a four-member committee of ministers, adding that the committee would probe into the matter and submit its report within a fortnight. He said that the government would invite all stakeholders, including the chairman NAB, head of all other departments concerned and opposition parties to come forward and guide the government in eradicating corruption from the country.
Citing corruption allegations against his predecessor, Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Shah said the court had taken up the case on mere perception, but nothing could be proved against him despite the fact the minister served his full jail term. "We are taking steps today for the future," he said while urging the opposition to deviate from the past practice and not indulge in 'blame game'.
On a point of order, PPP lawmaker Nawab Yousuf Talpur informed the house that a minor Hindu girl, had allegedly been raped and the victim's family was being implicated in a false cases. Syed Khurshid Shah apprised the House that he had taken up the matter with Inspector-General of Sindh Police, saying that he had asked the police chief to probe into the incident. He suggested the chair to refer the matter to the human rights body of the House for further investigation.
Subsequently, the matter was referred to the National Assembly's Standing committee on Human Rights by the Deputy Speaker, Faisal Karim Kundi. On another point of order, Jamshed Dasti of the PPP lashed out at the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Petroleum, Dr Asim Hussain, saying: "A person, who cannot even get himself elected, has been made an advisor." He alleged that there was rampant corruption in the petroleum sector, but no action had been taken against any corrupt officials.