Chaos in NA as govt, opposition benches exchange allegations

PanamaLeaks

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly witnessed ugly scenes on Friday, with the treasury benches jealously defending the prime minister’s sons against criticism in the wake of Panama Papers disclosures and the opposition benches rejecting the constitution of a judicial commission and demanding a thorough investigation by an international forensic firm.

The house continued the debate on the Panama Leaks, with the opposition parties demanding a judicial probe into the allegations under the supervision of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rashid said the offshore companies owned by the prime minister’s sons had done nothing illegal that could be questioned.

He said it had been the PML-N’s tradition to present itself for accountability while the PTI’s top leader was hiding behind the shield of Shaukat Khanum Hospital.

PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi said they would pour out onto streets if a consensus judicial commission was not constituted.“We were asked to get back to parliament when we were standing on containers. We’ll again come on the roads if the judicial commission is not created by consensus,” he threatened.

The Friday’s proceedings extended to afternoon but majority of members did notThe debate was in progress when the house was adjourned for lack of quorum till Tuesday morning. 

Less than 20 members were present in the hall at that time. The house also witnessed sloganeering and exchange of harsh words during the speech of information minister. 

However, the situation was immediately controlled by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq when he threatened to adjourn the proceedings.

“They have not bathed in Ganga and Jamna rivers; they have siphoned off money of Shaukat Khanum and Billion Tree Tsunami project,” he said.

Members from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamaat-e-Islami reminded the government that allegations against the prime minister and his family members had not been leveled by the opposition.

“A high-powered commission along with forensic audit of transaction is required to probe the matter,” they said.

MQM member Syed Asif Hasnain observed that Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution could be invoked in this case as facts were hidden in the declaration of assets.

Pervaiz Rashid said Panama Leaks did not contain any word that the prime minister, his family or the PML-N had done anything contrary to the law.

He clarified that Panama Papers envisaged the names of offshore companies and investment in them was not illegal or immoral.

He said those who misuse offshore companies hide their identities and use the names of other people while the prime minister’s sons did not hide their identities.

The minister said those demanding the two sons of the prime minister to bring the money back to the country must understand that they were forced to stay away from the country following the coup of 1999 and they had to start their career abroad.

“Hussain Nawaz was also sent to exile while Hasan Nawaz could not return to the country on completion of education,” he said.

He said they were doing business according to the law but the opposition regrettably resorted to do politics on the issue. 

Therefore, he said the prime minister presented his sons for accountability by announcing a judicial commission. 

He said it had only been the hallmark of the PML-N to present itself for accountability. He reminded the PTI Chairman Imran Khan of siphoning off the charity money. 

“The PTI chairman is using the cancer patients of Shaukat Khanum as a shield to hide his wrongdoings,” he alleged.

Pervaiz Rashid said a judicial commission to be headed by a retired judge was being constituted to investigate the whole matter. 

He however, said those who wanted to take the matter to the Supreme Court were free to do so according to the constitution.

He recalled that the judicial commission which probed 2013 polls rigging allegations was also comprised of serving judges of the apex court but the PTI did not accept its findings.

Taking part in the debate, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the international consortium of investigative journalists had published the Leaks which also included the names of around 200 Pakistanis.

He expressed satisfaction that there was consensus among the opposition and treasury benches about investigation into the Panama Leaks.

He however warned the government of consequences if the probe commission was created without taking the opposition into confidence. 

“We will mobilise the masses if a consensus commission was not established,” he said. Qureshi said the opposition wanted a fully empowered commission that could unmask the whole truth before the nation. 

He clarified that the opposition’s aim was not to indulge in mud-slinging but to bring genuine facts before the people. He said a judicial commission headed by the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) must be constituted assisted by an experienced international forensic audit firm.

The PTI leader said it was inappropriate to target only the prime minister and his family, as Panama Papers also included the names of several other Pakistanis.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad regretted the “negative” campaign against the prime minister’s family.

He said Sharif family had a history of doing business starting before the partition of sub-continent. 

He recalled that several cases had been registered against the family but they always came out smelling of roses. He said the prime minister had a vision to transform the country into an economic power that was free of power outages.

PPP’s Shazia Marri said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had to work independently to ensure across-the-board accountability demanding that a transparent investigation should be conducted into the Panama Leaks.

She said instead of using the TV screen to clarify his family’s position, the prime minister should have presented himself for accountability.

Syed Asif Hasnain of MQM said every corrupt person should be held accountable without discrimination and the money stashed by Pakistanis in Swiss Banks must also be brought back.

“Where Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution have gone in this case,” asked the MQM member. Sher Akbar Khan of JI said that the country should be made corruption-free and an All Parties Conference (APC) be convened to chalk out way forward.

Syed Naveed Qamar of PPP said facts should be brought before the nation on the matter for the sake of democracy and its strength.

Jahangir Tareen of PTI said the commission should be constituted with the consensus of all political parties.

He said the special commission should only investigate the matter related to the companies of the prime minister's family while a special cell should be established in the FBR to investigate the offshore companies of other Pakistanis.

Raza Hayat Hiraj of PML-N said the opposition should sit with the law minister to work out the terms of reference of the commission. 

He said the family of prime minister had not concealed their identities in the offshore companies which was enough to prove that nothing illegal had been done.

PTI’s Dr Arif Alvi said the FBR should be taken on board for investigation into investments made by Pakistani people in offshore companies. 

Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub of JI said the issue should be taken up by the Supreme Court. 

He said corruption was one of the major challenges confronting Pakistan and therefore steps must be taken to address it comprehensively.

Mian Abdul Mannan of PML-N said tax details of all parliamentarians were given in the tax directory of parliamentarians.

Maulana Ameer Zaman of JUI-F said instead of setting up commissions on every issue, relevant clauses and provisions of the Constitution should be invoked. 

He said there would be no corruption if Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution were implemented in letter and spirit.

Shaharyar Afridi of PTI said an across-the-board accountability process should be initiated. He said the politics of allegations would not resolve the issue and only fair investigations would reveal truth.

Dr. Ibadullah of PML-N said the PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his government in KP were only doing politics ignoring the plight of the people.

Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf of PML-N pointed out that the sons of prime minister lived in the UK where the rule of law prevails. 

He said no one had raised a finger at them in England and had they been involved in any wrongdoing the British law would have taken its course. Naeema Kishwar of JUI-F said there were more serious issues to discuss than the Panama Leaks and added that it was being highlighted for point-scoring.