Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar on Monday said that he is not a beneficiary of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) but a victim and would resign from office if 'Sugar quota case' was proved against him. Addressing a press conference here he said that including his name in the list of NRO beneficiaries is a conspiracy hatched against him by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Mukhtar said that it is very strange to note that there were certain reports in media in recent days that he was being facilitated by NRO, 2007. Moreover, the Ministry of Law and Justice had also named him as a beneficiary of NRO in some 'Sugar Quota Case' while announcing the list of beneficiaries of NRO in a press conference held on November 21, 2009.
" First of all, it need to be cleared that no sugar case has been registered against me, secondly NAB had filed only two cases against me; first in Lahore pertaining to 'Textile Export Quota' and other in Karachi with regard to 'Sale of Rice', he added.
Minister for Defence further said that it is important to note that in both the cases he has been acquitted by the court of law on merit rather than by getting benefit under NRO. "It is pertinent to mention that my acquittal in both the cases took effect prior to the promulgation of NRO", he maintained.
He further informed media persons that he had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in which he discussed about the NRO and on Monday would hold meeting with the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari. Answering to a question regarding the French submarines, he said that NAB has already inquired about the issue, therefore, there is no need for further inquiry.
He said that there are some media outfits who want to destabilise the government. Mukhtar said that Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is a true patriot and he met with the opposition leaders after having a meeting with the President and Prime Minister.
He further said that if the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government was destabilised, it would ultimately affect the country. "No one will be forced to resign whose name is included in the list of NRO beneficiaries", he added.
He further said that Saeed Mehdi had resigned willingly not forcefully. Replying to a query regarding Kerry Lugar Bill, he said that earlier some quarters had some reservations on the type of language used in it. But later when the language was simplified, they accepted it.
He further said that the JF-17 Thunder aircraft is a good addition to the defence system of Pakistan and in the future more such aircraft will be manufactured. Mukhtar said that JF-17 Thunder has the capability to strike the drone. Answering to a query regarding PIA deficit, he said that the organisation is facing Rs 1.5 billion deficit yearly.
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