Nawaz promises probe into Panama Leaks
Islamabad/London - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif landed back in Islamabad on Tuesday night after undergoing medical treatment in London.
Talking to media in London regarding an investigation into the Panama leaks, Nawaz Sharif claimed a commission will soon be formed to probe the allegations.
Nawaz told media that he was in favour of setting up a formal investigation into the scandal. The prime minister said efforts were underway to appoint a judge and finalise his team to carry out the formal probe.
“Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has already disclosed the names of the people we have contacted to form the commission and the Supreme Court has also passed remarks on the issue,” the Premier said.
Dispelling rumours regarding an extended London visit, Nawaz Sharif said he was returning to the country and was in good health.
“I feel much better now and with your prayers I hope it [my health] will remain well. I am going back to my country right now where I will once again start working for the revival of its economy,” the premier told newsmen outside his UK residence, minutes before leaving for the airport to board a flight for Islamabad.
Sharif said he had undergone some medical tests in London and the results were satisfactory.
Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over his plans for staging a sit-in over Panama Leaks issue, the prime minister said: “I hope Imran desires Pakistan’s progress as much as every common Pakistani does.”
The 66-year-old prime minister accused his opponents of conspiring against his UK visit. “The majority of Pakistanis reject politics of protests and sit-ins and are in favour of continued development and peace,” he said. In response to a question, the prime minister said Pakistan needs peace and stability for its economic revival and the nation has rejected the negative politics. “A large number of Pakistanis want peace and stability in the country instead of the politics of sit-ins,” said PM Nawaz.
Nawaz Sharif said those conspiring against his London visit needed to revisit their statements. The prime minister said his vision was the prosperity and development of Pakistan and stressed that the “politicians of sit-in” were creating hurdles in the achievement of these goals.
“The majority of Pakistanis rejects the politics of protests and sit-in and are in favour of continued development and peace,” the prime minsiter said.
He said that Pakistan was lagging behind in the comity of nations in terms of development. “As we are catching up with other countries, the politics of leg-pulling should be shunned,” he said in response to a question over the politics of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader.
Nawaz Sharif said the politics of antagonism in the name of defiance had been “buried” in 90s and stressed that such leaders were not politically mature enough.
Responding to a question on the reportedly misuse of funds by PTI chief Imran Khan, the prime minister said the matter of usage of money collected as charity for flood-affected persons should be investigated as well.
Last week on Wednesday, PM Nawaz departed for London for a “routine medical checkup, which was repeatedly postponed due to his official engagements over the past few months”.
Opposition parties severely criticised prime minister’s London visit at a time when demands were being made back home for his resignation following Panama Papers leaks.
About 220 Pakistanis, including three children of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, have been named in the massive leak of documents from a Panama-based law firm. The exposé dubbed Panama Papers also mention the names of 143 Pakistani politicians, some serving and retired judges, several businessmen and a media baron. The leaks have sparked calls for independent investigations against those keeping offshore assets.
PM SUMMONS PARTY LEADERS,
MINISTERS MEETING TODAY
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called the meeting of Federal Ministers and party leaders here on Wednesday (today) and Ministers will brief the Prime Minister about their contacts with Opposition parties.
Consultations will be made on Panama Leaks commission during the meeting. Federal ministers will give briefing to Nawaz Sharif on the contacts made with Opposition parties by them.
Legal team will brief Nawaz on the matters related to Inquiry Commission and also inform about PTI protest plan.