Pakistan

Imran demands immediate probe in Sharif family’s alleged offshore wealth

PTI chief terms Panama Papers act of God to expose tax evaders before masses

News Desk April 04, 2016

An Express News screengrab of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan addressing a press conference in Islamabad on April 04, 2016.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan demanded on Monday the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to immediately launch an investigation into the recent revelations about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family's alleged offshore wealth.

“If NAB wants to save its face in the country it should unveil the corruption of these people," Imran said while addressing a press conference at his Bani Gala residence in Islamabad.

NAB needs to do is look for the money trail of Sharif family assets; how did their money reach outside the country @ImranKhanPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 4, 2016

"If it is unable to act against the powerful elite then there is no reason for this institution to exist."

If NAB does not have the mettle to investigate and implicate these big criminals, then it should shut down #PanamaPapers @ImranKhanPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 4, 2016

Panama Papers: Huge tax leak exposes Putin aides, world leaders, stars

The PTI chief said the revelations through Panama papers were not a conspiracy against Pakistan but the tax evaders were exposed by God.

People shouldn't mistake it for some conspiracy #IKPressCon #panamapapers
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 4, 2016

“I have been raising my voice for the last 20 years on this issue and I still say this is just one firm which has been revealed in the papers. I am sure there are many more,” said Imran.

Our stance vindicated again as Sharif's wealth stashed abroad exposed. NAB, FBR & ECP must take action. https://t.co/0KatYNz2U8
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 4, 2016

The cricketer-turned-politician termed it a defining moment for the country and urged the people to ask those, who take their money out of the country, how could they invite foreigners to invest in Pakistan.

“If Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and France can start investigation into it then why can’t we?” he asked.

Nawaz’s son owns London apartment, offshore companies

After The Guardian revelations Iceland's prime minister resigning & snap elections in the offing. The ECP must move on this.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 4, 2016

The PTI chief questioned the heavy investment of Sharif family in foreign properties, saying “who lent billions to Sharif’s to setup their businesses abroad?”

“Just when Hussain Nawaz realised their secret companies were about to be surfaced, he appeared on a TV show and owned all these companies,” he upheld.

Hussain Nawaz preempts the leak & suddenly decides 2 "declare" his assets on media;bestowed on him by good luck #PanamaPapers @ImranKhanPTI
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 4, 2016

Imran said the Sharif family was unable to explain how they shifted such huge funds out of the country.

'No off-shore companies'

Pervez Rashid said Panama Papers have re-confirmed that the prime minister does not have any assets abroad or off-shore companies, according to Radio Pakistan.

“I challenge PTI chairman Imran Khan to prove in a UK court any illegality in the businesses owned by sons of the prime minister,” information minister said while addressing a news conference in Islamabad.

Rashid asked Imran to explain the sources of his assets abroad and purchase of property in Bani Gala, Islamabad.

COMMENTS (13)

Malveros | 8 years ago | Reply Again Nonsense from IK. Having offshore companies doesn't mean anything illegal has been done. The basic premise of the Panama leak is just to show who all own offshore companies.

Lolz | 8 years ago | Reply @Rex Minor: @Political Analyst: @Imran Qadri: The poor nation salutes you guys for defending your lords even against an open secret! Long live darbaari's!

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Tareen | 8 years ago | Reply @Imran Qadri: if the demand to launch an investigation into murderous levels of robbery in a poverty stricken country is "negative politics," then it is precisely people like you who are responsible for the tragic negative conditions of our country. How awful that we have people like you in this country, precisely why we have parasites ruling the country.

sabi | 8 years ago | Reply These dharna walas and their supporters are corrupt people therefore its beyond their comprehensions that there exist people who earn their livelihood within the limits of the law. Wiki leaks or any leaks will not help these thugs corrupt fake politicians back in the game.Their days are numbered.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Who will bell the cat ?...............when all are guilty, then none are guilty.

Saf | 8 years ago | Reply This paper is a joke, you cannot hide what the people feel as much as you try.

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply It's not just Sharif - don't forget Zardari. This "leak" is just confirmation of something that everybody suspected/knew ... going to be hard to sweep this under the rug.

Imran Qadri | 8 years ago | Reply This guy is diverting attention from his government's failure in KPK where dozen of people have died due to rains and flash flooding. He loves indulging in negative politics and just gives statements merely for political point scoring. If he thinks any wrongdoing has been committed then he should take the matter to courts and prove his allegations.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply It's worth noting this is just the leaks from a single firm. How many more are there? I am willing to bet that this is just the tip of the iceberg. How about the Gulf, America. I am certain they have investments there.

Political Analyst | 8 years ago | Reply Hussain Nawaz is right about different tax filing status for resident and non resident persons. A person who is not resident, as per Income Tax Ordinance, is not required to comply with certain regulations, which are applicable to resident persons. Nawaz family should come forward and disclose all assets (though not required by law) to settle the dust once and all - cost of being in politics. HN has every right to do business in and outside Pakistan and purchase assets onshore and offshore as far he is in compliance with domestic and offshore applicable regulations. Political leaders in Pakistan should show maturity in tackling allegations levelled against national leaders.

Rex Minor | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan demanded on Monday the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to immediately launch an investigation into the recent revelations about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family’s alleged offshore wealth. Why immediate; there is no crisis on a National scale. The fruit will fall on its own, besides Imran Khan should worry about his former wife who is also the custodian of his children, having off shore assets. Rex Minor

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply While I disagree with much of what he says, I couldn't agree with him more on this. Yet I am intrigued why he habitually fails to include that other cad, Zardari, in his calls for accountability ?

saf | 8 years ago | Reply The famous line about conspiracy against Pakistan will start being fed to the N leaguers and like always they will believe it.

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