PM, army chief meet in bid to revive relations following Panama leaks

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar facilitated the meeting, sources say

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed efforts to improve security situation in the country.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over improved security in the country and as well as in Afghanistan, with particular reference to the recovery of Ali Haider Gilani.

However, according to sources, the meeting was aimed at reviving civil-military relations following the Panama Papers revelations.



The meeting was facilitated by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar as well as some Corps Commanders and retired military officers, the sources added.

In a veiled reference to Panama Papers on April 19, General Raheel stressed an “across-the-board accountability” and uprooting corruption to ensure the prosperity, solidarity and integrity of Pakistan.



The army chief had also assured that armed forces of the country will fully support every meaningful effort in that direction to ensure a better future for our next generations.

The meeting comes as the government and the opposition organise massive rallies to garner public support for their respective stances in the wake of Panama Papers.



While the premier formed a commission led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan to probe the leaks, the government and the opposition have disagreed on the terms of the reference to be followed.

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.