Grilling federal cabinet member Ali Zaidi over the Uzair Baloch JIT report saga, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday advised journalists not to take him seriously as anyone on a bike could give him anything during night hours.

In his personal opinion, Murad added in response to questions posed by reporters, sharing the dubious document (JIT report) was an attempt to favour the accused.

Talking to media persons after appearing before NAB investigators in Islamabad, the Sindh chief minister said the provincial government had shared the JIT report only because of political pressure.

According to Murad, the law department had earlier advised the government not to release the report as the investigation was an ongoing process and making the document public would benefit the people nominated for various serious crimes.

But after Zaidi started sharing the document which he claimed was the genuine JIT report, the government was forced to consult the law department again while explaining that there was political pressure, said the chief minister.

The remarks about Zaidi – federal minister for ports and shipping – came as he himself has admitted that the document was handed over by a bike rider at his home.

Murad said every page of the original JIT report was signed by all the seven members, adding that the document had been submitted with the home department.

Zaidi also did not know how many members the JIT had, remarked the chief minister who also shared the background of its formation.

The document shared by the federal minister also cited CID (Crimes Investigation Department) which, Murad said, had been abandoned in 2015 after the formation of CTD (Counter-Terrorism Department).

The chief minister said the JIT (Joint Investigation Team) was formed by the then chief minister Qaim Ali Shah after the Rangers revealed the arrest of Uzair Baloch. It was headed by an SSP and had representatives from police, Special Branch, IB and ISI, he added.

When asked about the alleged links of PPP leaders with Uzair Baloch, Murad said there were images showing the gangster with the PTI leaders while he had announced joining the ruling party.

About the proceedings at the NAB office, the chief minister said he was asked to submit replies to a questionnaire about the Roshan Sindh Programme which he had submitted. The investigators asked some more questions for clarification which were also answered, he said.