Govt sees ‘global agenda’ behind Panama Leaks to destabilise Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The government and its allies see a global agenda behind the Panama Leaks to destablise nuclear Pakistan.

In a meeting of senior PML-N leaders, cabinet members and allies chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Thursday after his return from London, several participants endorsed the view that the Panama Leaks and the subsequent situation being created is part of a global agenda to destabilise Pakistan.

Sources said that most importantly, a strong endorsement of this view came from National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasir Janjua, who insisted that for the stability of the Federation such agendas must be countered effectively.

These sources said that General Janjua said that he could not discuss the details of the threats and challenges in such a largely-attended meeting.

While the meeting was unanimous that a commission and its terms of reference (ToRs) to probe the Panama Leaks disclosures be formed on the basis of a political consensus, most of the participants asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not to get blackmailed by the opposition parties.

These sources said that the prime minister was told by his partymen and ministers that because of his politeness, the opposition has become disgruntled and is playing an unfair game which should be responded to politically. “We will go to any extent to counter the opposition’s plan,” a participant was quoted as saying, assuring the prime minister that he (PM) would be defended at all forums.

The sources said that the mood of the participants was aggressive against the opposition parties, particularly Imran Khan-led PTI. They insist that selective attack on the top leadership of the PML-N and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is unacceptable.

Regarding the prime minister, the sources said that he briefed the participants of the meeting about his health problems and the London check-up which, he said, was long overdue.

Regarding the Panama Leaks disclosure and the subsequent political controversy surrounding him, the prime minister is quoted by a source as having said, “I don’t know what my fault is.”

Regarding the constitution of the commission and its ToRs, the prime minister is said to have emphasised upon the need for a political consensus.