ABID RAZA

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has been directed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit his response by August 18 in a case where he is accused of issuing a liquor license to a hotel illegally

.Buzdar had appeared before the Bureau today and sat through for nearly two hours.

The Punjab chief minister had arrived at the Bureau without any protocol, a stark comparison to PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz’s appearance before NAB a day earlier.

According to NAB sources, issuing liquor licenses falls under the domain of the DG Excise, however, the Punjab chief minister allegedly used his influence in issuing them.

Last year in April, NAB had launched an investigation into Buzdar’s alleged corruption after two complaints were filed with the anti-graft body against him.

Sources had said Buzdar was accused of getting a liquor-sale permit issued to a private hotel in Lahore.

The chief minister was also accused of getting a helicopter for his official use insured for Rs70 million, instead of Rs30 million, according to sources. Buzdar had directed to pay the insurance amount through a supplementary grant.

Sources had added that the Bureau had initiated proceedings for verification of the corruption complaints, for which the anti-graft body’s Lahore bureau issued the directives.

The allegation had been rejected by then Punjab government spokesperson Shahbaz Gill.