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Govt rejects Dasti’s allegations as ‘completely baseless’* NA speaker asks MNA to produce evidence to back his claims by Monday
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: MNA Jamshed Dasti’s allegations against parliamentary colleagues of indulging in immoral activities in the Parliament Lodges received a rebuttal from Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who dubbed them as “completely baseless”.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq wrote a letter to Dasti directing him to produce the evidence to back his claims. Dasti’s startling disclosures shocked the parliamentarians. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Nisar said he had carried out his own investigation after Dasti’s statement and on the basis of his inquiries, he can assure the House that Dasti’s allegations are “completely baseless”.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said there is CCTV footage of several months for the Parliament Lodges. He asked Dasti to identify the day when the alleged “immoral activity” took place. The minister said that all vehicles except that of MNAs and senators are thoroughly checked. He said the Parliament Lodges are home to the parliamentarians, where their families are also residing. He said that a security official has told him that no mujras are held in the Parliament Lodges. “Security personnel have been doubled in the Parliament Lodges,” he added.
Meanwhile, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq directed Dasti to provide evidences in support of his claim that the Parliament Lodges have become a centre of immoral activities, where mujras are arranged and liquor and hash are supplied. In his letter, the speaker directed the independent MNA to submit till Monday relevant video and other proofs supporting his startling revelations. The speaker has also directed the security in-charge of the Parliament Lodges to keep the record of CCTV footage safe.
Later, Nisar told the House that no military operation was underway in North Waziristan or other troubled areas, saying any such decision would be made with the consultation of all the political stakeholders. “If the decision of operation was made at any stage it will be with full consultation. …This decision could not be made secretly as it takes two to three weeks to initiate the process after a decision,” the interior minister said.
Responding to the point of order raised by opposition lawmakers about exodus of the local population in apprehension of a military operation, Nisar assured that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) would be taken care of during the precision strikes in the areas. A committee has also been formed under the Ministry of SAFRON to deal with the issues of emigrants.
About expected collateral damage in the area, the integer minister informed the House that the military leadership has been asked to ensure zero percent collateral damage in the precision strikes. However, Nisar said that incumbent government would take care of victims by providing them all necessities of life. The minister said a package will be approved in the federal cabinet to give equal compensation to all.
“Although no price can be put to a human life but a compensation package has been finalised.” Although proper debate over the National Security Policy will start from Monday, but sharing one of the aspects, Nisar said that the National Security Policy envisages allocation of Rs 32 billion for the strengthening of internal security network.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk