Sudden reshuffling of PAC leadership to impact parliamentary proceedings: Shah Mahmood Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was an important body in the parliament and sudden reshuffling of its house leadership would impact parliamentary proceedings.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Friday, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the change of guard in the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) was their internal matter. However, when there was a talk of change of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, this became a significant issue, he added.

He said National Parliamentary Committee on National Security also had Shehbaz Sharif as its member. He said speculations were rising regarding the possibility of a deal by the PML-N.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said according to reports Rana Tanveer will be made PAC chairman while Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be made leader of the opposition.

The foreign minister questioned that how Rana Tanveer Hussain could be head of the PAC when it was already decided that leader of the opposition in the National Assembly will take up this position.

He asked if PML-N leadership would take parliament and nation into confidence regarding the changes in parliamentary leadership.

Read More: PML-N names Rana Tanveer to chair PAC in Shehbaz’s place

Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed hope that answers to these questions will be given in the National Assembly.

He also said that Shehbaz was not anymore talking about returning to Pakistan. If he had health issues then he should leave the post of Leader of the Opposition as well, he said.

“We are not bound with the decision of the opposition for the PAC chairman,” he said.

To a query, he said Asad Umar was an integral part of the PTI. Nobody could raise a finger on his honesty and acumen, he added.