Panama Leaks: Opposition parties agree on unanimous TORs
Primary demand concerned with accountability process initiating from PM, his family
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Opposition parties on Tuesday formulated fifteen Terms of References (TORs) in regards to the investigation commission that probes into the Panama Leaks. The opposition parties have demanded that investigation of the matter be initiated from the Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and his family, reported Dunya News.
The 9-member committee of the opposition met at the residence of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aitzaz Ahsan in Islamabad. Consensus was made in regards to 15 TORs placed forward by the opposition parties and it was demanded that investigation also be done regarding the foreign assets of the PM and his family. It was also demanded that the investigation commission, led by the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Supreme Court, should submit its report within three months. The opposition demanded that inquiry regarding the other individuals named in the Panama Leaks be completed within one year and that the services of international audit experts be sought in regards to the investigation.
While addressing the media after the meeting, PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said that accountability should begin with the PM and his family, adding that investigation should be made about the foreign assets owned by the Prime Minister. He added that the inquiry will be made public and that accountability of all others named in the Panama Papers will be done once the commission is done investigating about the PM.
Aitzaz stated that there is neither consensus nor disagreement regarding the demand for the PM’s resignation. Sources indicate that Awami National Party (ANP) and Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) are against the demand for PM Nawaz Sharif’s resignation, the latter politicial party is of the view that the PM should resign if allegations leveled against him are proven.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and PPP did utmost effort to convince the other parties of the opposition over the demand of the PM’s resignation during the meeting held on Monday but were unable to do so. Today’s meeting was attended by Aitzaz Ahsan, Hamid Khan, Farooq Sattar, Asadullah Bhutto, Mushahid Hussain, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Israrullah Zehri and Aneesa Zaib Khaili.
