Shehbaz Sharif elected PAC chairman unopposed

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Friday was elected as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) unopposed.

During the PAC meeting, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Sheikh Rohail Asghar suggested Shehbaz's name for committee chairman and it was confirmed by Mushahid Hussain. Shehbaz's name was the only one put forth and was accepted unopposed. 

After his nomination, the PML-N president thanked Parliament members for placing their trust in him and assured that he will "take everyone along and move forward". 

Stating that the process of accountability will be transparent, Shehbaz added, "There is a need to improve the process of accountability and the PAC is an effective forum for that."

Shehbaz also congratulated Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah, who was the former chairman of the committee, for running PAC effectively. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz congratulated Shehbaz and said, "Despite all differences we reached an agreement."

"Parliament has to fulfill the promises made to the nation and I hope that the PAC will meet people's expectations," Faraz added.

Further speaking on the occasion, PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan said, "PTI upheld democracy and elected you. We hope that if your family is found guilty then you will hand this post to someone else." To this, Shehbaz smiled and said, “I will give no such opportunity.”

Balochistan National Party chief Akhtar Mengal also congratulated Shehbaz and said, “PAC is an important forum. No matter which party we belong to, the process of accountability should be transparent.”

Meanwhile, PPP’s Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said, “Today a good tradition has been set that the PAC chairman is the opposition leader. We have to put politics aside and take forward the process of accountability. The PAC under Shehbaz’s chairmanship will show exemplary performance.”

Earlier this month, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government conceded the chairmanship of PAC to Shehbaz almost three months after a stalemate over the key position.

The PTI government had long stuck to its stance that the opposition should come up with any name other than Shehbaz for chairmanship as he is accused in the Ashiana Housing scandal, but the opposition was of the view that past traditions of the National Assembly should be honoured.