Criticise PM for his tone in address to the nation
LAHORE: Religious parties on Friday welcomed with caution the prime minister’s letter to the chief justice for setting up an inquiry commission to probe into the Panama Leaks disclosures.
These leaders raised objections to the threatening tone of the prime minister in his address to the nation and termed it unfortunate. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq described the move, although delayed, as a step in the right direction and a victory for the nation. He, however, said the terms of reference (ToR) of the commission should be decided with complete agreement with the opposition parties so that doors of corruption could be closed forever.
He said the bitterness in the PM’s address was misplaced as the allegations in Panama Leaks had not been levelled by the opposition. He said there was a tradition of voluntary resignations in the wake of such allegations but the prime minister did not opt for it.
He said the crisis should be resolved as early as possible so that precious time was not wasted. He said the army chief’s action against corrupt officers was a clear message to the government that if he could punish corrupt elements, why not the rulers could do the same.
Siraj said those who had plundered billions of a poor nation could not be pardoned at all, adding that the rulers’ interests were outside the country and they came to Pakistan only to govern. He wondered who had authorised the NAB to write-off billions by accepting plea bargains.
Jamiat Ahle Hadith president Senator Sajid Mir said the prime minister had set a good example by presenting himself for accountability, adding that the hue and cry from the opposition parties was completely unjustified, while those in the media had their own axe to grind.
He said pushing the country towards destabilisation and hampering the development projects was no service to the nation. Sajid said democratic stability was indispensible for development and prosperity, and added that politics of agitation would only benefit the forces against democracy. He warned that the country could not afford another crisis under the present situation.
Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said the disclosures of Panama Papers were proven and did not require any further investigation, adding that the proposed inquiry commission would prove a failure. He alleged that the prime minister made a mockery of the nation instead of taking it into the confidence.
He said the threatening tone of the PM was a result of ‘medical treatment in London’, adding that the threats were not directed towards political opponents or the media as the target was ‘somebody else’. Qadri demanded that the PM should resign and bring back the plundered wealth to the country. JUP president Pir Ijaz Hashmi welcomed the judicial commission but said it would have been much better if he had announced it in parliament instead of addressing to the nation.
