NA session begins today, opposition parties unite against govt over Panama leaks
The so-called Panama Papers are the top focus of discussion in the Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned National Assembly session at 5:00 pm in Parliament House Islamabad today.
According to sources, members of the opposition parties will raise issue of the offshore companies owned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family mentioned in the Panama Papers.
In a message posted on Facebook, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced that he will attend the Natioanal Assembly session today and present his party‘s stance on Panama leaks.
The "Panama Papers" revealed financial arrangements of politicians and public figures including friends of Russian President Vladimir Putin, relatives of the prime ministers of Britain, Iceland and Pakistan, and the president of Ukraine.
While holding money in offshore companies is not illegal, journalists who received the leaked documents said they could provide evidence of wealth hidden for tax evasion, money laundering, sanctions busting, drug deals or other crimes.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif set up a judicial commission after political opponents accused him of corruption.
Sharif’s Sharif’s sons, Hussain and Hassan, and daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif were named in the reports, based on documents that were leaked from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca & Co.
Opposition parties are seeking an independent investigation into the source of his children’s wealth, as detailed in the documents. Imran Khan also urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to open an investigation.
Separately, issue of Pakistani cricket team’s poor performance in World Twent20 will also be raised in the National Assembly today. Calling Attention notices against implementation of Customs Act in Kohistan district and Malakand division are also part of the agenda.
