PTI chairman praises Mubasher for exposing corruption of the mighty

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 12 November 2014

Imran Khan praised Mubasher Lucman for his investigative work on corruption during a rally in Nankana. Despite facing legal challenges, Lucman's efforts highlight alleged misconduct among powerful figures in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, addressing a political gathering in Nankana Wednesday praised ARY TV anchor Mubasher Lucman for exposing corruption of the high and the mighty. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minster Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and owner of Geo-Jang Group, Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman wanted to silence Mubasher for highlighting their alleged corruption.

Mubasher was banned for life from Pakistani television on October 17 following a suo moto for maligning the judiciary in his program.

In a recent interview, Mubasher told forbes.com that he never criticized the judiciary in this case. "I was investigating a businessman [Asim Malik] who ran off from Pakistan with 11 billion rupees [approximately U.S. $183 million at the time] fourteen years ago. We tracked him down and went abroad to interview him. He agreed to provide his point of view if I would meet his request that I do not edit his interview to ensure his side of the story would get out. He relayed information that part of conducting his business was more than half a dozen ministers taking bribes from him. He accused members of the judiciary of taking bribes as well. We showed a video that this businessman provided that he says shows the son-in-law of one said judge accepting a bribe of 40,000 British pounds as a ‘scholarship’ from him in exchange for a ruling in his favor."

Mubasher has been put on the Exit Control List ythat prevents him from travelling abroad.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan during his speech also had words of praise for television analyst Hasan Nisar.

KEY POINTS:

• Imran Khan supports Mubasher Lucman's anti-corruption efforts.
• Lucman was banned from TV for allegedly maligning the judiciary.
• Khan criticized Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif for attempting to silence Lucman.
• Lucman accuses powerful individuals of accepting bribes.
• Mubasher is currently on the Exit Control List, restricting his travel.