NA panel finds Dasti’s allegations baseless
ISLAMABAD - While the parliamentary body formed to probe allegations of immoral activities at the Parliament Lodges levelled by MNA Jamshed Dasti has finally termed the claims baseless, Dasti is still sticking to his demand of independent inquiry by a high court judge.
The seven-member parliamentary body in its fifth and last meeting reached on consensus that all the allegations of the MNA from southern Punjab were incorrect. The collective findings of six members, as PTI lawmaker Arif Alvi had detached himself from the committee due to certain reasons, would be submitted to the National Assembly (NA) Speaker to present it in the upcoming session of the house.
Speaker NA Iyaz Sadiq before the formation of the committee in clear terms had assured the house that the committee would decide the fate of the MNA if the allegation were proved baseless. “MNA Jamsdhed Dasti could not prove allegations...In our 5th committee reached on consensus that allegations are baseless,” said Mian Abdul Manan, a senior member of committee, sharing the findings of the committee with The Nation on Wednesday.
“Dasti despite request did not avoid to comment on this matter,” said the senior lawmaker, adding that they involved Intelligence Bureau (IB) in their probe but stated allegations could not prove true.
“We have checked previous records and are also investigating even gatekeepers through cross-questioning,” the parliamentary committee member said.
When contacted, PPP MNA Imran Zafar Leghari, another member of the committee, said that they examined all the evidence given by Dasti. “In the video of dance party no parliamentarian is sitting...Even date and year is not being established from the provided video,” said Leghari.
On the other hand, the lawmaker from Muzaffargarh is still adamant on his stance that immoral activities were taking place at the Parliament Lodges. “I have given liquor bottles as evidence, which were found in the premises of the lodges,” said Dasti talking to this scribe. “Ball is now in the court of rulers. I have done my duty,” he added.
“I present myself for blood test and same should be done with all lawmakers,” he said, adding that independent inquiry under high court judge should be conducted.
Dasti feels that it was a ‘cover-up’ aimed at providing a clean-chit to those fellow lawmakers who were allegedly involved in questionable activities.
Dasti in recent past made shocking claims in the Lower House of the Parliament, saying that liquor worth Rs 40 to 50 million was annually supplied to the Parliament Lodges. A seven-member committee was constituted to probe the authenticity of the allegations levelled by their fellow member.
Earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had also declared the claims made by Dasti as baseless.