Opposition stands ground on Shehbaz' appointment as PAC chairman

ISLAMABAD - The coalesced opposition parties in the National Assembly have reaffirmed their demand that Shehbaz Sharif should be appointed the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the joint opposition leadership on Tuesday, Shehbaz Sharif said the opposition leaders had once again concluded that the opposition leader in the National Assembly should become the PAC chairman.

"Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had been giving the lame excuse that I, being the PML-N head, could not preside over the audit of matters pertaining to party's previous government," said Sharif.

The president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz continued that the opposition parties had devised an alternative to avoid this possible conflict of interest as he can be nominated as the PAC chairman, but will not head meetings in which audit paras of the previous PML-N government are scrutinized.

"Instead, a sub-committee can be formed to examine matters related to the previous administration, and the PTI can nominate its own chairman for the sub-committee," Sharif added.

The PML-N leader, however, said the opposition has made it clear that the PAC chairman will be the opposition leader.

He also thanked the opposition parties for reposing their confidence in him through their "rightful stand".

Let it be known that constitutionally the ruling regime is not bound to appoint Shehbaz Sharif as the chairman of top accountability body - Public Accounts Committee.

However, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party had decided in the charter of democracy (CoD) that the slot of opposition leader be given to the opposition leader in the National Assembly.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan served as the PAC chairman during the stint of PPP while Syed Khursheed Shah replaced him during the last stint.

The sitting regime has categorically stated that Shehbaz Sharif would nto be appointed the chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).