Govt formed inter-ministerial committee to probe Broadsheet scandal: Shibli

Govt formed inter-ministerial committee to probe Broadsheet scandal: Shibli

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Minister for information and Broadcasting Syed Shibli Faraz said that the cabinet has decided to reveal facts to expose individuals involved in money laundering and making fun of country s institutions in light of the findings of UK Law firm Broadsheet. A committee has been formed to probe Broadsheet scandal.

Briefing media about decisions taken by the cabinet today (Tuesday), the minister said that the cabinet has formed an inter-ministerial committee, which will reveal the individuals, mentioned in the Broadsheet scandal.

He said former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others influenced that inquiry to save their own skin and now the government under Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to make those names public, after thorough scrutiny of the available material.

The Minister said that the cabinet also approved a bill to enhance powers of the auditor general of Pakistan to ensure transparency. He said automation and digitization are being introduced in the working of the office of auditor general of Pakistan. He said issuance of cheques will be automated to prevent any kind of delay and fraud.

Syed Shibli Faraz said that the PTI government is vigorously working on institutional reforms and the cabinet decided to make these reforms public soon.

Talking about negative impact of the sale of smuggled petrol in Pakistan, the Minister said that a crackdown has started against petrol pumps involved in selling substandard smuggled petrol, which poses hazards not only to the environment, but also adversely impacts functionality of the vehicles.

He said the sale of smuggled petrol is inflicting a loss of around 180 billion rupees to the national exchequer. He said so far 192 petrol pumps have sealed for selling substandard smuggled oil. He said such petrol pumps have been directed to furnish record of their sale and purchase within one week. He said that 2090 petrol pumps have been identified across Pakistan that are involved in selling smuggled petrol.

The Minister said that Planning Minister Asad Umar raised the incident of the death of Osama Satti in police firing for which Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his strong displeasure and annoyance over opening of fire by the police on a youth. He said that the Joint Investigation Committee formed to investigate killing of Osama Satti has presented its report to the interior secretary, but the Prime Minister expressed the resolve that new probe would be arranged if family members of the deceased youth is not satisfied with JIT s findings. He said an inquiry will be organized to the satisfaction of Osama Satti s family to take the culprits to the task.

Syed Shibli Faraz said the Prime Minister also instructed to formulate a policy in fifteen days to address shortage of wheat and other food items in the country.