Vawda, Abbasi trade barbs in National Assembly

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly session on Wednesday witnessed a heated debate among lawmakers from the treasury and the opposition benches who traded accusations on each other over bad governance, ARY News reported.

It all started when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker and Federal Minister for Water Resources, Faisal Vawda, blamed the previous government for water theft; however he refrained from naming any individual.

He said the country incurred losses of billions of rupees because of widespread water theft.

As soon he winded up his speech, former premier, and member of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stood up and reacted strongly asking the government to form committee to probe allegations, instead of hurling accusations.

“Don’t call us thief, if you say so I will respond to you in the same tone,” said the PML-N leader.

“Those who came to power through election ‘theft’ are now using the same word for everyone as a cover-up”, alleged Mr. Abbasi.

He appealed to the House speaker to refer the matter to the standing committee or form a new committee to investigate the charges.

Speaking after the remarks of Mr. Abbasi, Faisal Vawda said former PM Abbasi never fell short of spinning words.

“I respect him…but what I said is the truth that water pilfering was unearthed during the previous government’s tenure. And you are directly involved in it,” he claimed, adding that the former PM Abbasi directed closure of telemeters on just verbal orders.

He said he didn’t specifically name Punjab. “There is no need to form a committee. I will keep sharing my findings on the issue in the Assembly.”

Vawda said he didn’t have any personal grudge against anybody. “Every institution of the country witnessed corruption during tenure of the PML-N government.”

The federal minister wrapped up his speech stating: “If you commit a non-parliamentary act, then you will be dealt in a similar manner…and we will prove this with our action.