Panama leaks: Lawmakers demand inquiry against PM

Sindh Assembly passes resolution against Nawaz Sharif


Hafeez Tunio September 26, 2016
The assembly also passed a resolution condemning the ongoing “brutal repression and barbarism” by the Indian forces in Kashmir. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly, expressing concern over the contradictory statements by the prime minister over the Panama leaks, adopted a resolution on Monday demanding a comprehensive and impartial inquiry against the premier.

The resolution, opposed by lawmakers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was moved by parliamentary affairs minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro. Most lawmakers demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign for hiding his assets.

"He is no longer sadiq (truthful) and ameen (just) and has brought a bad name to the nation, so an inquiry should be started against him," Khuhro said in his speech.

The resolution further stated that the leaks have exposed the names of family members of the prime minister, but the government's attitude has disappointed the nation and created further confusion in the minds of the people of Pakistan.



"The ToR [terms of reference] issue and observation by the Supreme Court indicates that the prime minister is trying to hide himself behind his administrative apparatus and create a deliberate hindrance in an impartial judiciary inquiry which is the demand of the whole nation. This assembly resolves that a comprehensive inquiry in accordance with the ToRs given by the opposition parties in parliament be immediately conducted to take proper action and relieve the nation from the agony of confusion and national disrespect," the resolution reads.

Speaking on the occasion, Khuhro referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision to disqualify parliamentarians for hiding their assets and said, "If other members can be disqualified under these allegations than why not the prime minister, who has lied while declaring his assets."

PML-N MPA Sorath Thebo protested against the resolution, saying it was aimed at targeting her party leader who has stood up against corruption. "Everyone knows who is corrupt in this country and how the PPP [Pakistan Peoples Party] government ruined the government institutions," she said adding that their party chief [Asif Ali Zardari] after looting the country has escaped to London while others continue his mission of plundering Sindh's wealth. "Actually, this resolution is to protect the PPP's corrupt ministers who have looted trillions in the last eight years," she said and walked out of the session in protest against the resolution, adding that "Benazir Bhutto's name is also listed in the Panama papers , why are you mum on it."

After a few minutes' debate on the issue, the assembly adopted the resolution. PPP, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Moevment members supported it but the PML-N and PML-Functional members left the house before the resolution was adopted.

Kashmir resolution

The assembly also passed a resolution condemning the ongoing "brutal repression and barbarism and severe human rights violations" by the Indian forces in Kashmir.

The resolution moved by PPP MPA Sharmila Faruqui and supported by all other parties in the assembly reads as follows: "Over the past two months more than 100 Kashmiris have been killed, children, women, young and old innocent people have been blinded by shotgun pellets and thousands are injured by the brutal Indian forces.

This house pays tribute to Burhan Wani and thousands of others who have bravely laid their lives for the Kashmir cause and calls upon the international community and United Nations to support the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people and call on India to honour the resolution of the UN General Assembly to release all Kashmiri political prisoners and to end all brutalities, aggression and human rights violations in the valley."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2016.

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