'Prove who asked for NRO or apologise,' Shehbaz assails PM in NA session

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday fired a broadside at Prime Minister Imran Khan, asking him to explain as to who asked him for a deal like the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). 

Speaking on the floor of the house, Shehbaz further asked the prime minister to present witnesses to substantiate his claim of opposition politicians seeking an NRO.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan should tender an apology to parliament if he fails to prove [his claim],” he said, adding that he would quit politics if the premier corroborates his claim.

They cannot be intimidated by threats, Mr Sharif said and alleged that there is an unholy alliance between NAB and the ruling PTI.

“The prime minister was a suspect in the helicopter case. On what basis did the NAB chairman met a suspect,” he asked.

He said the prime minister once again resorted to lying by giving a statement with regard to the NRO. “I curse the NRO,” asserted Mr Sharif.

The former CM Punjab said that the Billion Tree Tsunami, Malam Jabba, and KP Accountability Commission scandals are not hidden from anyone, nor is the Peshawar Metro Bus scam.

NAB has done nothing about these scandals, complained the opposition leader.

He said they won’t allow the PTI government to rule the roost and resolved to stand like a wall in its way.

Shehbaz said members of the treasury benches should not resort to antics and offend friendly countries. There are many a friendly countries who backed Pakistan in its wars, he added.

He said though Defence Minister Pervez Khattak had criticized CPEC in the past, China is desperate to meet us with all heartiness. “We need to quit container politics and instead focus on the country’s politics.”

Referring to the hike in prices of electricity and gas, Shehbaz said the government dropped an inflation bomb within a few days of coming to power, creating hardships for the poor.