ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Punjab government over the alleged misuse of public funds and what he described as unchecked and unaccountable governance.
Speaking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Fawad questioned the Prime Minister’s credibility, stating that he lacked the authority to offer relief when he himself was “barely clothed.”
Fawad also took aim at former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, accusing him of using the official prime ministerial aircraft as a “private taxi” for his trips to London. He further condemned the recent salary hikes for the National Assembly Speaker and Senate Chairman, questioning the justification for such increases while ordinary citizens struggle.
On the issue of financial mismanagement, Fawad expressed concern over the allocation of an Air Force jet for a provincial chief minister’s medical treatment in Geneva.
He accused the Punjab government of spending Rs30 billion in just three days during Eid for sanitation purposes, a sum greater than the province’s entire annual budget for cleanliness, which stands at Rs13 billion. “Funds are being spent in ways that lack accountability,” he said, urging for transparency in government spending.
Fawad also raised concerns about the political and judicial processes, particularly in politically motivated cases. Referring to the ongoing trials in Faisalabad, he suggested that it might be better to transfer such cases to military courts.
He lamented the lack of access to former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lawyers and family, highlighting the unprecedented nature of these trials, even under harsh military regimes. “Such biased trials were conducted by monarchs in the 15th and 16th centuries,” he remarked.
He also warned that the judicial system was collapsing, and Pakistan was operating “in darkness.” Fawad called for political stability through dialogue and the formation of an opposition alliance, though he claimed the ruling government showed no interest in such an initiative.
