ISLAMABAD, May 4: The federal government on Wednesday rejected the joint terms of reference (TOR) presented by opposition parties to hold an inquiry into allegations of offshore holdings against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his family and other Pakistanis.
“The words used in the opposition’s TORs reflect malafide intentions of the opposition parties. It is only targeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”
Addressing a press conference with regards to investigation of Panama Leaks issue in Islamabad on Wednesday, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan has said that a number of people were named in the Panama Leaks including multiple representatives of countries around the world.
Nisar said that the matter is being politicised as various rallies being organised regarding the matter as they target only a specific personality and added that the opposition aims to gain political advantage out of the scenario.
He added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the first leader of a country to react upon the issue as he formed a commission to probe into the matter. He stated that Panama Leaks did not just cater the PM and his family but the PM decided not to hide from the issue.
The Interior Minister stated that a number of judges were contacted to lead the investigation commission formed to probe into the matter, adding that if the government wanted not to face the matter it would not have contacted individuals having such high reputation including Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani and fomer Chief Justice Balochistan Justice Sahir Ali.
He said that opposition parties were given the opportunity to choose any Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer of their choice to lead the investigation, further stating that a few individuals wanted media trial of the government regarding the whole issue. He said that the opposition demanded the formation of a parliamentary commission to probe into the matter but then deviated from the demand.
“I request the oppositon not to mislead the public”, Nisar stated, further adding that the nation should be aware of the truth and that no obstacles need to be placed in this regards. He said that all demands of the opposition were fulfilled regarding the investigation of the matter. Interior Minister said that no one needs to dictate any terms to the Supreme Court (SC) of the country as it can investigate the issue in any manner it wants to.
He inquired “can the government place an influence upon (the decisionmaking) of the Supreme Court?”, adding that the government is blamed by the opposition in regards to ever minor happening. He said that the decision of the Supreme Court is only accepted by certain individuals if it is favouring them. He said that some people are prolonging the matter on the basis of the Terms of References (TORs) of the investigation commission and want this “play” to continue.
Referring to the mistreatment with the women during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf s (PTI) rally held in Lahore on Sunday, Nisar condemned the incident and said that those responsible will have to face the law and stated that PTI needs to cooperate with the government in this regards and inquired at the same time that “why are women mistreated in the rallies of PTI alone?”.
He further added that allegations are being leveled against the government by those who have their own offshore companies. He stated that breakthrough needs to be made not by placing allegations but through investigation carried out by the commission. He complained that the tax evaders are also voicing their concerns after the onset of the Panama Leaks. “PM pays his taxes but it is said that he does not (pay taxes)”, Nisar said.
He stated that the impression was given by the Terms of References (TORs) formed by the government as if the opposition parties have no faith in any law of the country. He stated that the PM s children are ready to appear before the Supreme Court in regards to the investigation of the matter.
Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid also addressed the media during the conference and stated that the TORs presented by the opposition parties disappointed him a great deal as they are based on dishonesty. He said that the TORs only target Nawaz Sharif.
“It’s not a serious document and it appears opposition doesn’t want a commission to be set up for Panama leaks,” Hamid said.
He said that even ICIJ has admitted that Prime Minister Sharif has not been directly named in Panama papers.
“The Supreme Court has all the powers to decide and give directions regarding inquiry into Panama Papers. We have fully empowered the commission to do what is needed to examine Panama papers.” -NNI
