Offshore companies: ANP chief opposes demand of PM’s resignation

Says there is need to formulate new rules to ensure accountability

MARDAN: Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has opposed demands for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation over the Panama leaks scandal and highlighted the need for “across-the-board accountability” over the offshore holdings.

Asfandyar was speaking to journalists in Mardan on Thursday. According to a press release issued by ANP stated, he raised objections over the fact that only the premier and his family were being held accountable for possessing offshore accounts.



“Unless proven guilty, ANP oppose demands of prime minister’s resignation,” the statement quoted Asfandyar as saying. “Accountability does not allow us to simply pick and choose.”

According to Asfandyar, ANP has also demanded accountability against loan defaulters.

He stressed the need to formulate new laws to ensure accountability.

Hitting out

The ANP chief expressed reservations over PTI Chairperson Imran Khan’s views on the offshore holdings.

“Imran Khan is justifying his own offshore company but accusing others of corruption,” he said.

The ANP leader said the party had demanded a detailed probe into expulsion of a coalition party from the K-P government on charges of corruption.

“The current situation has plunged the country into chaos,” the document quoted him as saying.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2016.