PM departs for Turkey to seek Erdogan's advice

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif departed on Saturday for Turkey amid building pressure over the Panama Papers, to seek advice.

The premier's visit is said to last for just a day and he is being accompanied by his wife Kalsoom Nawaz.

According to reports, during his visit, PM Nawaz is scheduled to attend the marriage ceremony of Turkish President Erdogan’s daughter.



The premier is said to be travelling to Turkey to seek advice from Turkish President Recep Erdogan regarding the Panama Papers, sources confirmed.

Further, sources said PM Nawaz has long admired Erdogan’s tactics in dealing with his country’s dominating army and wants to implement similar strategies on his home soil. The development comes after Army chief General Raheel Sharif was quoted as asking the premier to resolve the Panama Papers issue.

On Friday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali declined the federal government’s plea to form a judicial commission to probe the Panama Papers leaks.



Announcing the decision, CJP Jamali said in order for a commission to be formed, a legislation will first have to be passed by the parliament.

“Formation of Commission of Inquiry under the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 1956 (Act VI of 1956), looking to its limited scope, will result in the constitution of a toothless Commission, which will serve no useful purpose, except giving bad name to it,” CJP Jamali wrote in the letter.

This is not be the first time that PM Nawaz has flown out of the country at a time when the leaks issue is at its peak.