LAHORE- Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan is facing problem about his ministerial office following a scam of alleged bribe and, later, some startling disclosures made by a business tycoon in an interview, recently aired by a private TV channel, in respect of his opinion about the Punjab chief minister and others related to him.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had earlier entrusted inquiry into the allegations against the Law minister to a three-member committee comprising Senator and Chairman PML-N Raja Zafarul Haq, Senator Rafiq Rajwana and Punjab Minister Zakya Shahnawaz. The telecast of Asim Malik’s interview, however, has aggravated things against the Mashhood who strongly denies all allegations as fabricated, concocted and out of context. Nevertheless, sources in the PML-N say that the party leadership wants to be fully satisfied with the position of Rana Mashhood Ahmad, as such he is not being invited to important party meetings till his name is cleared of all charges.
The absence of the minister in the Punjab Cabinet meeting on Thursday fortified this impression, while he had appeared before the inquiry Committee in Islamabad the same day to record his statement. Sources claimed that Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan who also holds the portfolios of Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs is facing difficulty about retention the office as the CM wants him to get his name clear of the charges first so that he could resume functions of the portfolio with confidence. They say position as to whether or not Rana Mashhood goes on with his ministry will come up in couple of days while inquiry against him is about to reach the conclusion.
When contacted, a member of the inquiry committee said that Rana Mashhood had submitted his defence to the body and findings of the inquiry committee would be sent to the CM soon. The member denied to have sent report to the CM as it was reported by a section of media on Thursday.