News
Thursday, January 27, 2011
PM scolds SAFRON ministry’s adviser over security fleet
By Zeeshan Javaid
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday admonished the adviser to the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Asma Arbab Alamgir, for using an inflated security fleet.
During the National Assembly’s session on Wednesday, Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) MNA Laeeq Muhammad Khan pointed out that the SAFRON ministry’s adviser was in a habit of keeping a huge motorcade of the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) while travelling.
He said that Asma was misusing the clout of her husband, Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir, and even using additional security than used by the prime minister himself. He said the country had been facing a financial crunch situation but the adviser had been enjoying privileges over and above. He informed the House that a few days ago, when the adviser was on a personal visit to Abbottabad, he himself witnessed a motorcade of more than 40 official vehicles of the NHMP escorting her vehicle. Laeeq demanded of the prime minister to take a notice of the violation of rules by the SAFRON’s adviser.
Upon this, Gilani summoned Asma Alamgir in the assembly and directed her to respond to the allegations levelled against her forthwith.
Federal Minister Khursheed Shah denied the statement of the JUI-F’s legislator and claimed that “in entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 40 vehicles have not been used under the NHMP. He also added if someone had been using his/her personal vehicles, “we could not refrain him/her from doing so”.
To justify her position, Asma said, “I am a woman and belong to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. I have security threats. The JUI-F’s MNA must have some misunderstanding.”
NA Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, who was chairing the House, said that he also belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but he did not have such a huge number of official vehicles.
Adviser to SAFRON, Asma Arbab Alamgir, is the spouse of Federal Communications Minister Arbab Alamgir, who is associated with the ruling Pakistan People Party (PPP).
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk