Report of IB: Aitzaz calls for formation of probe body

Opposition Leader in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan on Wednesday called for formation of a committee to probe into a report of Intelligence Bureau - the top civilian spy agency - which exposed that 37 lawmakers, including two senators, have links with terrorist outfits. Law and Justice Minister Zahid Hamid had nothing substantial to say, as majority of the lawmakers belong to ruling PML-N, except repeating the rhetoric that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and spy agency have declared the report 'bogus.'
He claimed that Riaz Hussain Pirzada - a sitting government minister whose name was included in the list - has also expressed satisfaction over the matter after a categorical statement by the pime minister and IB. "Pirzada has agreed to halt the related proceedings and withdrawal of the FIR," he added. But the flamboyant opposition leader pressed for a committee of Senate to probe into the matter as two senators - Javed Abbasi and Muhammad Zafarullah Khan Dhandla - of ruling PML-N have also been accused of having links with militant organizations.
"No intelligence agency would concede to its own report once it is made public," he said while referring to the IB head's denial who claims that his organization never did any such investigation against the MPs. "I'm sure the report seems genuine but I am a bit skeptical about its contents," he added.
Aitzaz and Azam Swati said that threats to the journalist who broke the story is in no way acceptable, adding, "We fully stand by the journalist and will defend him no matter what as he just did his job." However, the law minister denied of victimizing the journalist or anybody else, especially after registration of the FIR against unknown persons and a complaint with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against the journalist by IB.
The list contained the names of a number of key ministers including Riaz Pirzada, Zahid Hamid, Baleeghur Rehman, Sikandar Bosan and Hafiz Abdul Kareem, as well as National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi and two senators.