Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab Information Secretary MPA Azam Bukhari has submitted an application with the Punjab Information Commission, seeking asset details of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and his spouse during the last three years.
The application filed under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 also sought details of expenditures on the renovation of the Chief Minister’s House and the CM’s Office in Lahore.
“Every citizen has the right to access information from public bodies, which are bound to provide requested information within 14 working days. The prime objective of this law is to ensure transparency, public participation in governance and to bridge the gap between public institutions and citizens,” said the lawmaker in her application.
According to the application, a copy of which is available with daily Minute Mirror, multiple renovations had been undertaken at the CM’s House and the CM’s Office (7 & 8 Club Road GOR I) during the last three years.
She maintained that the funds for the Communication and Works (C & W) Department were used for the renovation. The lawmakers also sought details of vehicles procured by the S&GAD Department for the CM’s Office.
Moreover, the PML-N lawmaker said in her application that the CM had gotten constructed a palatial house in Multan worth Rs1 billion. She also sought details of this newly constructed house.
“In the past, the Election commission of Pakistan had raised questions regarding the assets of Usman Buzdar. In this context, it is requested that exact details of all the assets held by CM Usman Buzdar and his spouse since FY2017 may please be provided,” read the application.
Talking to Minute Mirror, Azma Bukhari said that she had also sought similar information from the CM in 2019 but got no reply. “I have used the channel of Punjab Information Commission this time and the contempt of court proceedings can also be initiated against him over non-compliance,” said the lawmaker. “I am a lawyer and I’ll pursue it personally, she added.
