LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has outright denied making billions from kickbacks from the Chinese company – Jiangsu Yabaite Technology Co. Ltd – in the Multan Metro Bus project, as claimed by a Pakistani private TV channel.
Vowing to clear all misunderstandings, the PML-N leader offered the nation to hold him accountable “even if misappropriation of a single penny is proven”.
Shehbaz, who lashed out at the TV channel during a press conference on Wednesday, warned the ‘conspirators’ to present evidence of corruption in the multi-billion project or face the music.
. @CMShehbaz vehemently rejects baseless allegations in Multan Metro Project. Legal notice is served on ARY news for https://t.co/g9sBQWLrcB
— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) August 30, 2017
He countered the claims by saying that those levelling such allegations were the ones who have themselves taken over lands worth billions of rupees.
“It is alleged that Rs3 billion was taken as kickback for the Multan metro bus project,” Shehbaz said while allowing that his body “should be taken out of grave and hung on a pole if a corruption claim against him is proven even after his death.”
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/imran-hits-out-at-pml-n-nab-in-chakwal-public-gathering/
Multan Metro Bus Project
The Rs28b Multan Metro Bus project was inaugurated by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in January. It includes 21 bus stations spread over an 18.5km route, which facilitate around 97,000 commuters daily.
According to a media report last week, the Sharif family allegedly transferred funds received as kickbacks in the construction of Multan Metro Bus project.
The Chinese Securities and Regulatory Authority (CSRA) has launched an investigation into the funds transferred by the Chinese firm working on the project which showed them as profits gained from the project.
According to CSRA, the firm ‘YaBait’ transferred $10.75 million to China. CSRA then sought details from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
However, former-SECP chief Zafar Hijazi and advisors Muzaffar Mirza and Khalida Habib reportedly refused to share any information with the CSRA and eventually suppressed the matter.
The report further stated that Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N Leader Mushahidullah provided documents to the Chinese firm, which was allotted the contract to construct the Multan Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) by the Capital Engineering and Construction Ltd. But, according to the media report, this firm is not even registered with the SECP and the address provided does not even exist.
The funds were allegedly transferred from Dubai, Mauritius and other locations, the report added.
Referring to the content televised by the private TV channel, Shehbaz asked whether it has ever named the land mafia or those who have had loans waived off. “Those sucking the blood of the poor and getting loans waived off on political grounds are a mafia.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=45&v=MbRQZpKlBf8
