NAB chairman video scandal shocks Pakistan
‘NAB chairman video scandal’
Islamabad: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday said the News One TV channel report regarding the watchdog”s chairman is fabricated, baseless and a propaganda based on lies, referring to a video which purports to show NAB chief hugging a woman at what the broadcaster said his office.
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The Urdu language statement came after the private TV channel sent shock waves across the country by airing the video and an audio tape claiming that it contained a intimate conversation between Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal and an unnamed woman.
The NAB said a group of blackmailers was behind the malicious campaign aimed at damaging the credibility of the anti-graft body.
The statement said 42 FIRs were registered against the group across the country for its involvement in kidnapping for ransom, blackmailing by impersonating as officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
It said a leader the gang identified as Farooq was imprisoned in Kotlkahpat Jail Lahore.
The NAB statement said New One TV has apologized to the NAB chairman, admitting that it was against the facts.
Video goes viral
Hours later, a video purporting to show the NAB chief along with a woman went viral on the Internet.
News One backtracks
News One Tv backtracked shortly after broadcasting the footage and audio of the conversation that it claimed took place allegedly between the NAB chairman and a woman.
The report triggered social media outrage, with users expressing shock and disbelief.
The controversy came just days after the former Supreme Court judge said the NAB would continue to work in accordance with the law, rejecting the allegations levelled against him by the opposition parties in the parliament.