Pakistani channels pay the price of airing Ishaq Dar interview
Shares
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Thursday said that show-cause notices have been issued to private channels for rebroadcasting an interview of former finance minister Ishaq Dar to an international media outlet.
Dar, who is fugitive in asset beyond means cases, appeared on BBC News' show "HARDtalk" where he spoke about multiple issues including the accountability drive, 2018 elections, and allegations against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Pakistan’s former finance minister Ishaq Dar said in the interview he owns only one property in Pakistan and that too, has been taken over by the government.
"I have my main residence in Pakistan which has been taken over by this regime," the 70-year-old aide of ex-PM Nawaz Sharif told BBC anchor Stephen Sackur.
Hitting out at the incumbent PTI-led government. "I haven't gotten too many properties. My net worth is what has been (inaudible)".
He added that he “believes in transparency” and has "declared all his assets in his statements".
When asked by the interviewer that Pakistan's accountability watchdog (NAB) had examined his accounts and found them not in order, Dar said that was not the case. "A joint investigation team was set-up and it had two military officers among others, they were actually overseeing the entire affair."
"NAB lost its significance some time ago. It’s an institution that is used for political revenge against opponents”, he maintained.
