Senior Punjab minister Aleem Khan resigns after arrest by NAB

LAHORE: Senior Punjab Minister Aleem Khan tendered his resignation shortly after being nabbed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday, ARY News reported.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader was taken into custody when he appeared before the accountability court for the hearing of two cases pertaining to offshore companies and disproportionate assets than income against him.

Details relayed that senior minister’s answers failed to satisfy the NAB officials during the inquiry which lead to his arrest.

Following his arrest, Khan tendered his resignation from his current post of supervising nearly five provincial ministries. He has been shifted to jail.

Khan was facing investigation initiated by the NAB for owning an offshore company, alleged land-grabbing and owning assets beyond known means.

It is pertinent to note that a few days earlier, Khan castigated the bureau for dragging cases against him.

Speaking to media, he had said the NAB should tell him if he was guilty in a case. “My case has been under trial in the NAB for four years and no decision has been taken on it yet.”

He had regretted that inquiry in the case against him could not be completed from 2015 till 2019. “Tell us if we are guilty, we will leave the politics, and if not, then all cases must be closed.”

‘I will face cases’

After the arrest, Khan said he will face cases against him. “I have faith in the judiciary and I will succeed.”

He further clarified that only a case related to offshore companies was filed against him. “There has been no case of owning assets beyond known income against me.”

Politicians react

While talking to ARY News, seasoned politicians shared their views on the arrest of  Khan.

“Aleem Khan’s arrest has proved that law is equal for everyone,” said Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid. “The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan was genuinely marked by justice.”

Former Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair signified the arrest of Khan as “big development”, recalling that the Opposition was yearning for a nondiscriminatory accountability process.