Summary Government accepts opposition parties' demand in Panama leaks issue
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has assured Opposition Leader in the National Assembly (NA) Khursheed Shah of writing a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali in Panama leaks matter, Dunya News reported Friday.
Dar called on the Opposition Leader and asserted that the government would approach the Chief Justice and urge him to lead a commission tasked with Panama leaks probe.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) among others has been demanding formation of a CJP-led commission ever since the leaks tangled Prime Minister’s family. The government finally made an announcement today of accepting demands voiced by the opposition.
Shah approached PTI’s vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and informed him about Dar’s stance. However, both the leaders agreed to call a joint session to take a decision. Reportedly, Qureshi told the NA’s Opposition Leader that a decision could be taken once the parties take into consideration government’s letter to the CJP and terms of references (TOR).
Know also: PM Nawaz consults federal ministers over Panama leaks probe
On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq called on Khursheed Shah and recommended him to follow suit and write to the Supreme Court (SC). He urged the Opposition Leader to appeal to the Supreme Court to take up the investigations pertaining to the leaks.
The two leaders also discussed current political setting in the country relating to Panama leaks issue. Haq further said that the entire nation trusts the Supreme Court with the probe.
Separately, Shah Mehmood Qureshi has urged lawyers’ community to support the opposition against government in Panama leaks case.
He paid a visit to Lahore High Court (LHC) Bar and met different opinion leaders.
While conversing on the occasion, Qureshi said that only an impartial judicial commission could bring truth to the fore. He warned the government of strong protests if a dummy commission is formed.
Country could never progress unless corruption is eradicated, he added.
Know also: Opposition s statements, judges excuses delayed Panama leaks probe: Nisar
High court bar’s authorities stated that a session would be called to finalise a stance in the prevailing issue over Panama leaks.
Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had stated that a notification for a judicial commission that would probe the leaks was almost ready, adding that the government only has to add the name of the retired or in-service judge to the draft.
He stated that a formal announcement in the matter would be made within one to two days.
Talking to Dunya News during the program ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath’, Dar accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan of forming an offshore company in the 1980s.
Dar added that the PTI chief had hidden in a house in Gujranwala during the movement aimed at restoration of judiciary. He further said that Khan had scaled walls and ran off to avoid arrest arrested during the movement.
Documents of a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca were leaked this month which were published by Panama Papers. The leaks presented evidences pertaining to offshore dealings against as many as 140 world leaders. Proofs against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif s family had also surfaced.
