Probe should begin from the PM and his family: Aitzaz Ahsan

Members of the United opposition gathered at Aitzaz Ahsan's house on Monday and demanded that the Prime Minister present himself for an independent inquiry.

Speaking on the occasion to media personnel, Aitzaz said:-

"Hussain Nawaz himself had disclosed that the Sharif family possessed four flats in London's posh Mayfair locality," he said. "He himself talked about the property which amounts to billions of rupees," he added. 

Aitzaz said the government did not wan an investigation into the disclosures of the Panama Papers. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced that he would present himself for accountability in his address to the nation. 

Aitzaz also disclosed that the opposition had agreed on three out of the four terms of reference which were proposed by the government. 

"We participated with good intentions in the meetings conducted to draft the ToRs," he said. "The government did not accept any of our terms of reference but only provided theirs."

Ahsan said that an economic crime had been committed through which Pakistan's investment was transferred outside of Pakistan. A law against such malpractice was to be made, he said. 

"Whoever's name has been mentioned in Panama leaks, his family should also be investigated," said Aitzaz Ahsan. He also stated that those people whose names were mentioned in Panama Papers, their powers of attorney should be sought. Through these powers of attorney, their bank accounts would be available as well.

"If an apartment was bought, then the power of attorney should be shown," he said. "It should be known to all as to whom it was bought from," said Ahsan.

He also said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not a criminal since no allegation had been proved against him yet. However, he called for investigation into the Panama Papers scandal to start with the PM and his family. 

Aitzaz called for a law or code to be made through which everyone would be held accountable equally and the PM could not be unfairly treated. 

"A special law should be drafted against financial crime," he said. "However, the government wants that only laws which suit them be made," he added. 

Aitzaz said that it was the view of the opposition that a crime of a specific nature had been committed. He also said that the government had accepted the parliamentary committee with an open heart and that there were many matters on which both sides agreed. 

PTI's Shah Mahmood Qureshi also spoke on the occasion and said that the opposition was demanding a common yardstick for all. 

"We are not using these points for political gains," he said. "If the purpose is to carry out an independent inquiry, then no one should be spared," he said.