Balochistan lawmakers voice displeasure over corruption allegations against them by construction firms

Quetta [Pakistan], Jan. 14 (ANI): Treasury and opposition members in the Balochistan Assembly have expressed their displeasure over construction companies charging them with corruption. A local newspaper on Friday published an advertisement in which construction companies alleged that members of the provincial assembly take bribes to award contracts and also appoint people of their choice to key government positions. A privilege motion was moved by Agha Syed Liaquat Ali, a member of the Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), in the assembly regarding these allegations. Dismissing these allegations as baseless, Ali said leveling them amounts to insulting elected members of the august house. "The privilege of the entire house has been breached," the Dawn quoted Ali, as saying. He said all contractors and firms that levelled these allegations should be blacklisted. Asserting that the publishing of such advertisements is a serious matter, PML-N member, Prince Ali Ahmed asked the authorities to interrogate all making these allegations. Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran of the JUI-F said that these allegations amount to insulting of all 65 members of the house. (ANI)