- Ishaq Dar praises Raza Rabbani for not heading commission
ISLAMABAD, April 17: Senate Chairman and Senior PPP leader Mian Raza Rabbani has refused to head a parliamentary committee to probe revelations from the Panama Papers, a collection of leaked tax documents from a law firm linked to offshore companies in the tax haven of Panama.
Responding to Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah’s assertion that the senate chairman was the most suitable person to head the commission, Rabbani said he was “not available for consideration amongst other probables” and called for speculation on the matter to cease.
“In my capacity as Chairman Senate, I am the custodian of the rights of the Senate in particular and Parliament in general. Such a position may have the potential of creating a conflict of interest,” he said.
I lack expertise in “the field of investigation of white collar crime”, he said, adding that the Panama leaks inquiry involves “complicated questions of facts, laws and cross-jurisdictions which require specialisation in the said fields”.
“I’m thankful to Khursheed Shah for proposing my name, but I have no experience in investigating white collar crime,” said Rabbani.
“The Panama leaks inquiry involves complicated questions of facts which require specialisation in the said fields,” he cited reason behind his refusal.
The senator also claims to have his “own viewpoint with reference to the effectiveness or otherwise of a Parliamentary Committee” therefore it may not be appropriate for him to assume the task at this stage.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, who is heading a government team that has finalised the terms of reference (ToRs) for the proposed inquiry commission, hailed Rabbani’s decision.
“It is inappropriate to suggest the name of Chairman Senate to head the commission for Panama Papers inquiry. The Chairman Senate has powers of President in his absence… It is good that Mr. Rabbani has himself refused to head the commission,” Dar said in a statement.
Ishaq Dar said suggesting name of Chairman Senate for Panama inquiry commission is ‘inappropriate.’
“It is inappropriate to suggest the name of Chairman Senate to head the commission for Panama Papers inquiry. The Chairman Senate has powers of President in his absence… It is good that Mr. Rabbani has himself refused to head the commission,” Dar said.-SABAH
