Pakistan’s PM-in-waiting Imran Khan to answer allegations of misuse of state helicopter
Pakistan’s Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan has been summoned to testify before the National Accountability Bureau over the alleged misuse of state-owned transportation.
The investigation concerns the alleged failure to reimburse the public purse after the use of helicopters from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regional governments.
This comes at an inopportune time for Khan, who is already facing down allegations of clandestine electoral support from Pakistan’s military and intelligence services, increasing the prospect of corruption allegations pursuing his premiership. Additional questions over his electoral legitimacy are set to pose as he contemplates a $12 billion assistance package from the IMF, facing a major challenge in restructuring Pakistan’s moribund economy and stagnant growth prospects.
Despite the seemingly mild nature of the offence, a failure to address the probe swiftly will undoubtedly raise the prospect of broader investigations. With his election marking a second historic transfer of power in Pakistan, a failure to address these early attacks on his legitimacy will have serious ramifications for the stability of his premiership and government.
Wake up smarter with an assessment of the stories that will make headlines in the next 24 hours. Download The Daily Brief.
