Opposition adopts wait and see policy on govt’s response to PanamaLeaks ToRs

ISLAMABAD: The joint opposition has decided to adopt wait and see policy on the formation of the opposition committee to negotiate with the government on Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the inquiry commission to probe the PanamaLeaks till the government comes out with its team. The meeting of the joint opposition was chaired by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah and Opposition Leader in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan which was attended by all the opposition parties in both the houses of the Parliament - Senate and National Assembly - here at the Parliament House on Monday.

Khursheed Shah summoned the meeting to formulate joint stance of the opposition for the ongoing sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly on PanamaLeaks issue. During the meeting, the joint opposition decided to continue the protest in the National Assembly till Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came into Parliament to explain his position on PanamaLeaks.

According to sources, Khursheed Shah proposed to form an opposition committee that will negotiate with the government on the ToRs for the judicial commission. However, Aitzaz Ahsan opposed the proposal for the formation of the opposition committee until the government forms its own committee to contact the opposition.

Sources said Aitzaz was also supported the PTI and other opposition parties to adopt a wait and see policy on the issue. Sources said there was agreement among the opposition parties that the opposition committee that drafted the ToRs may be continue to negotiate with the government. It was decided in the meeting to take a hard position in the sessions of the Senate and National Assembly on PanamaLeaks. It demanded the prime minister to explain his position in the Parliament and till he did not do so the opposition would continue to walk out from both the houses of the Parliament.

Khursheed Shah said while addressing the meeting that the opposition is not at fight with the government. He said he is waiting for the reply to the letter he wrote to the PM regarding the ToRs on PanamaLeaks probe. He said the Parliament is the one forum through which the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) fought its battles.

The opposition leader said the prime minister should explain his stance in the Parliament as he himself says that all issues must be discussed in the Parliament. He also stated that the prime minister should bring forth details regarding his assets and tax returns in the Parliament as well.

He said demand will be made to have discussion upon the adjournment motion submitted by the Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, adding that if permission is not granted to speak within the Parliament then the opposition parties will organise a protest against the government.