Pakistan

Opposition not serious over Panama leaks probe, only targeting PM: Nisar

The PML-N government expresses willingness for talks with opposition parties over ToRs

News Desk May 04, 2016

An Express News screen grab of interior minister press conference.

Rejecting the opposition’s proposed ToRs to investigate Panama Paper leaks, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has said the target of opposition parties was Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and not corruption.

“Opposition’s target is not corruption but Nawaz Sharif. They don’t want to get to the truth, and are insulting the prime minister,” the security czar said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday. He was flanked by minister Zahid Hamid.

A massive leak of 11.5 million tax documents on April 3 exposed the secret offshore dealings of world leaders and celebrities, also naming three of the premier’s children for owning London real estate through offshore companies.

According to Radio Pakistan, the PML-N has decided to form a committee to negotiate with the opposition.

Nisar said the prime minister had already showed his sincerity for exposing the truth but the opposition parties were insulting him.

Panama leaks: Opposition parties agree upon ToRs, seek PM family probe first

“What more sincerity you want from the prime minister as he has announced he would go home if proven guilty?” Nisar asked the opposition.

Succumbing to mounting political pressure for a wide inquiry, PM Nawaz on April 22 presented himself and his family up for accountability after requesting the Supreme Court to form a commission to investigate the Panama Papers scandal.

The opposition parties on Tuesday evolved consensus on the ToRs to probe into the foreign wealth of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family and others in the backdrop of the Panama Papers leaks.

Blaming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for delaying the commission’s work, the interior minister implored the party “not to confuse people and let the truth be exposed”.

Panama leaks probe: Information minister defends judicial commission’s ToRs

“The proposed amendments have created distances between us and the opposition as they are based on mala-fide intentions,” added Hamid.

He said the ToRs given by the parties had already given a conclusion in its preamble, which was against the rules of any ongoing probe.

“Even the ICJ has said Nawaz Sharif's name was not mentioned in the Panama Papers but the opposition parties have given their verdict on the matter."

COMMENTS (12)

Naim Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Interior Minister Ch Nisar doesn't even know ABC of his job, he is trying to explain about Panama Papers? You are trying to say Hussain, Hassan, Murraym, are not PM Nawaz's children? Where did the money come from did three children worked hard in London? No they haven't done days work in their life. Do you know how much property is worth? Millions of Pounds, none of the children could get to better universities. Nawaz shouldn't be a PM of Pakistan, look at the Law and Order situation in Pakistan you shouldn't be a home minister.

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Because he is head of the country and I bet if independent investigations are carried out, there will be lead to the Prime Minister House. What NS and his minions are doing is to delay the matter so it will never reach it conclusion. The government side of ToRs is an eye wash and designed to delay and hood wink the nation. If NS is so innocent then why not go for an independent investigation which should include forensic experts to figure out if the PM was engage in money laundering. One should also ask his children who are Pakistani nationals that where did they get those millions and what kind of business they were involved in foreign countries and did they pay fair share of their taxes to Pakistan's treasury. We all know the real answers. Above all how could they even talk of foreign investments in Pakistan when they themselves stashing their wealth abroad.

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syed & syed | 8 years ago | Reply Nawaz Shareef is targeted because he is top man others will follow. Why is he shy to declare his and his sons assets and source of investment. It appears all Ministers and so called law makers are afraid and Nisar Sahib is talking ain bain shain.

Imran | 8 years ago | Reply PMLN will continue to have doubts regarding the seriousness of the opposition and the Pakistani nation until this turns into a full blown movement. Then persons like Zahid Hamid and Danial Aziz will nowhere to be found.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply I have to admire the sheer cunning of the government......they has once again kicked the ball further into the tall grass......and the beauty is, they are blaming the opposition for doing this.

goodDeedsLeadTo | 8 years ago | Reply Opposition is serious about Panama leaks and Panama leak has given out names of individuals involved in the racket, an PM NS is one of them. Names given out do not include anyone from opposition.

Zohaib Ahsan | 8 years ago | Reply Because PM family is named and shamed in Panama Leaks. And why call it targeting? Though opposition give 90 days, PM can sort that matter in 90 minutes, just declare his and his family assets tomorrow morning in Parliament!

Yakoob | 8 years ago | Reply Is the Interior Minister living on a different planet! The PM comes first. Transparency is what matters the most. By making devious statements every week by him and other cronies of PML. (N) clearly shows cheap tactics being employed by them. Let a fair and transparent process start ASAP.

Tariq | 8 years ago | Reply PMLN is behaving exactly the same as Musharraf in his dying days. The outcome won't be any different. The common denominator is Zahid Hamid.

Jibran | 8 years ago | Reply This person is a pathological liar. Who can trust him?

Imran Qadri | 8 years ago | Reply If his name isn't even there in Panama leaks then why should he alone be targeted. Other politician's also have admitted to having offshore companies/account including PTI's chief financier who bears all expense of PTI chairman's private jet,helicopter bullet proof SUVs joyrides. Shouldn't everyone named in leaks be investigated for any wrongdoing?

Shahid | 8 years ago | Reply What a joke. They are targeting Nawaz because he's the PM for gods sake! Other people don't matter as much.

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