NAB, PML-N trade barbs over alleged ‘torture’

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (N) leaders have been embroiled in a war of words with senior PML-N leaders accusing the accountability watchdog of physical and mental torture and NAB Chairman rejecting the allegations.

With the president of their party in custody, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has criticised the government for human rights violations, alleging that the lock-ups of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) were like torture cells.

The PML-N has expressed concerns over the ‘deteriorating’ health of Shahbaz Sharif and asked the government that he be provided regular medical care.

Meanwhile, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday strongly rejected the baseless allegations regarding torture cells in its prisons and said it presented every accused before the court for getting his remand according to the law.

NAB spokesman said no one has complained of torture, neither called their prison a torture cell nor made a demand for a medical examination, said a press release.

It investigated every accused on scientific basis, preserved his self-respect and acted according to law. All the stories of torture and torture cells were part of the aggressive and organised propaganda to stop NAB from taking legal action.

In a statement, Marriyum Aurangzeb, former information minister, said that the leader of the opposition, Mr Sharif is a cancer patient and that his health is in precarious condition.

“The recent medical report of Mr Shahbaz Sharif is worrisome — their cells have been designed to give mental and physical torture to the inmates,” she said, adding that the treatment he is being given is a gross violation of human rights.

“We demand a medical board to oversee the health condition of Mr Shahbaz Sharif, which has deteriorated in the NAB torture cells. Who is responsible for that?” she asked.

Ms Aurangzeb also said that Mr Sharif will undergo further medical tests on Saturday.