LONDON, April 12: The Pakistan Government has launched a probe into allegations that former premier Benazir Bhutto made payments to a Labour Member of Parliament, for lobbying for the country on the Kashmir issue here, media reports said. George Galloway ``was to become Bhutto lobbyist under the cover of raising the Kashmir issue'' in Britain and up to 3,00,000 pound sterling was channelled to a company, Asian Voice, co-founded by him, The Sunday Times said quoting `Ehtisab Commissioner', Saifur Rehman. ``There is an investigation into money given to Galloway's company to help set up the magazine. She was hoping to use him as her personal lobbyist,'' Senator Rehman said.The money was alleged to have funded The East, a weekly Asian magazine Galloway helped set up in 1996. Rehman said that Asian Voice was given a series of payments in exchange for Galloway's support. Six Labour MPs, including Galloway, lobbying for Pakistan on Kashmir issue, had last week expressed fear to the Speaker of theHouse of Commons, Betty Boothroyd, that moves were afoot to implicate some of them in financial scandals, according to a Pakistani newspaper here.
``He (Galloway) is involved in our investigations and the case will be passed on to the courts if appropriate,'' Senator Rehman was quoted as saying. Benazir had paid the MP through a British company using state cash, he said. The paper said no such payments had been declared by Galloway in the House of Commons register of members' interests. Under Parliamentary rules, MPs have to register any overseas payments of more than 200 pounds, which in any way relates to membership of the House. It said the allegations if proven would be embarassing to the Labour Government that has been emphatic in its refusal to accept money from foreigners.
Galloway refused to comment on the issue last week. The MP from Glasgowkelvin was awarded Pakistan's highest civilian award for delivering humanitarian aid to people of Jammu and Kashmir two years ago.
Bhutto servednotice
Benazir Bhutto has been issued a notice by the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly to appear before it to explain her role in a helicopter deal with a fake firm. The deal was allegedly struck for the delivery of helicopters and an amount of Rs 8 cr paid in advance. Bhutto was warned that if she did not appear before the Committee, a warrant of arrest would be issued against her.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
