ISLAMABAD - President Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan yesterday said the lax response of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in wake of Panama leaks has triggered political instability in the country, demanding formation of judicial commission under Chief Justice of Pakistan to probe the issue.
In a statement issued here, the ANP chief criticised the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) for making the offshore holdings of Premier Sharif more controversial by appointing a retired judge to investigate such a sensitive matter. “Instead of coming clean on the offshore accounts by going for a credible inquiry, unfortunately the government went for white washing the issue by empowering a retired judge to head the judicial inquiry,” the ANP said.
Asfandyar Khan said the situation was further aggravated when the prime minister did not take parliament into confidence on the issue. The ANP is of the considered opinion that allegations arising out of the Panama Leaks have put the moral standing of the government under question.
“The only way out of this situation is the appointment of a fully empowered Judicial Commission led by the Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan with a definite timeline,” the statement said. He said the ANP fully supports a transparent, credible and comprehensive investigation of the Panama Leaks and would support the efforts of democratic political parties in this regard.
“However we will request political forces to show patience, tolerance and restraint until the final results of the investigation process. Democratic political parties also need to vigilantly guard the democratic constitutional system,” he added. As per its historical traditions, the ANP will oppose any effort aimed at derailment of democratic system.