Opposition sticks to demand for probe under CJP

Islamabad

Political activities increased in the federal capital in the wake of Panama Leaks a few hours before the return of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from London on Tuesday.

The leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) headed by the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah held separate meetings with the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami National Party (ANP) in efforts to build pressure on the government for a transparent probe into allegations contained in Panama Leaks while the government team, comprising federal ministers, called on JI Ameer Sirajul Haq and other party leaders.

“We are holding meetings with the opposition parties to save the democratic system and we do not want that democracy is derailed,” Khursheed said while talking to newsmen after meeting with the ANP and JI leadership said.

During separate meetings with the ANP and JI leaders, Khursheed was accompanied by the Opposition Leader in the Senate Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, Syed Naveed Qamar and Senator Saeed Ghani.

During meetings, the leaders of three opposition parties renewed their demand for probe into Panama Leaks under the supervision of Chief Justice of Pakistan. 

However, they also feel that a parliamentary committee could also be constituted if the chief justice does not agree to the demand of opposition parties.

Talking to newsmen, Khursheed said the government should write a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan with a request to head the judicial commission. 

“I hope the chief justice will accept the request and if he does not agree then we can move towards the parliamentary committee,” he said.

Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said by not declaring their assets, including off-shore companies abroad, the Sharif family had committed white-collar crime.

He demanded that the prime minister, Sharif family and Ittefaq group declare their assets.

“There will be no need of any commission if they declare their assets,” he said, adding that investigations should be also be conducted against those whose names were mentioned in Panama Leaks but probe should start from the prime minister and his family.

Ghulam Ahmad Bilour MNA of ANP said allegations against the prime minister and his family members should be taken seriously. 

He said his party also supported probe into allegations as contained in Panama Leaks by a commission headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Later, the PPP delegation called on JI Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq, Secretary General Liaquat Baloch and Naib Ameer Mian Muhammad Aslam to discuss the hot issue.

Talking to the newsmen after the meeting, Siraj appreciated the efforts of Syed Khursheed Shah for keeping contacts with the opposition parties on the serious issue.

Sirajul Haq said his party also wanted a dignified way out of the crisis and a transparent probe into allegations against the prime minister and his family by a commission headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq called on JI Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq and discussed with him the political matters with special reference to the Panama Leaks.

The two federal ministers apprised the JI leadership of the government’s stance on the issue of Panama Leaks.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Khawaja Saad Rafique said the government wanted to constitute a consensus inquiry commission.

The JI chief said he had discussed with the ministers Panama leaks issue and the inhuman treatment being meted out to the JI leaders in Bangladesh.

Siraj said Panama leaks was a national as well as an international issue. He said from the very beginning, the JI had been demanding that an impartial commission should investigate the matter so that the nation could know facts. 

He said Khawaja Saad Rafiq had told him that the government had finalised the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the commission adding that the JI would study the ToRs and give its suggestions.

Siraj said the railways minister had talked about transparent and impartial inquiry which should be welcomed. 

He expressed the hope that all political parties would come forward to eliminate corruption.

Siraj said the trial of JI leaders in Bangladesh was an important issue.

He said the JI leaders Mutiur Rahman Nizami, Prof Ghulam Azam and Abdul Qadir Mullah had offered huge sacrifices for the cause of Pakistan but they had been at the mercy of the so-called war crimes tribunal.

He said the issue should be taken up at official level as this was the duty of the Government of Pakistan.