No reason for PTI protest after SC hearing of Panama Leaks: PMLN

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Thursday said Supreme Court had started hearing the case of Panama Leaks, leaving no reason for Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI) to launch protest in Islamabad.

Speaking at a press conference, he said PTI was trying to close down Islamabad through violent means but people of the capital would reject their call for agitation.

He said the government would responsibly take steps to manage the crowd which PTI would gather in Islamabad.

The government would protect the legal and constitutional rights of the residents of Islamabad, he added.

He reminded that Supreme Court in the past rejected allegations of PTI about rigging in the general elections.

The minister said PTI wanted to take agitation to a level where lives of ordinary public and workers of PTI could be put in danger.

“It is our responsibility to share this information with the public.”

He said PTI wanted tailor made TORs just to target Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and to save Imran Khan and PTI leaders from accountability.

He said the call of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf was meaningless and Imran Khan was sending a wrong message to the people by inciting violence.

The government had offered all platforms for investigation into Panama Leaks but PTI avoided all of them, he added.

The minister said Interior Minister would be in charge of the administrative measures concerning the agitation of PTI in Islamabad.

He said PTI set a bad precedent by holding a rally close to the personal residences of PMLN leadership in Raiwind.

It took weeks by PTI to hold a public meeting, he remarked.

Pakistan Muslim League(N) member National Assembly Daniyal Aziz said PTI had started a legal process before the Supreme Court however, if it locked down Islamabad then it might not be possible for Supreme Court and Election Commission to hear petitions filed before them.

He said there was discrepancy in the asset statements filed by Imran Khan.

PTI leaders had to respond to the charges that the wealth accumulated by them was not earned through fair means, he added.

Daniyal said PTI was undermining institutions and Supreme Court case would not be able to hear their case in an environment of agitation in Islamabad.

Daniyal said PTI leaders had to come clean before the Election Commission on November 2 about their asset statements.

He said PTI did fail to raise questions about the Panama Papers in the National Assembly and other forums as it was not serious in investigation of the issue.

He said it was disservice to the people that Imran Khan was constantly lying to avoid serious allegations against him.

He said Imran should answer whether land of Bani Gala was purchased by him or was given as gift by his former wife.

He said Imran Khan, Jehangir Tareen and Aleem Khan had offshore companies.

If Terms of References (TORs) proposed by PTI were accepted, then Imran Khan, Jehangir Tareen, Aleema Khan and Aleem Khan could not be held accountable, he noted.

Daniyal said the government efforts to improve the economy, create jobs and resolve all other challenges would be undermined by the calls of agitation by PTI.

“PTI is not seeking justice but only indulging in political ploys.” The government had surrendered itself for accountability before the Parliament, Election Commission and Supreme Court, he added.

He said there were reports that violence would be used to lock down Islamabad and Imran Khan was seeking help from armed organizations for bringing life in Islamabad to a halt.