Nawaz Sharif Speech In Assembly Over Panama Leaks - 16 May 2016

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• published: 16 May 2016
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ISLAMABAD: The joint opposition in the National Assembly (NA) walked out of the House following ‘unsatisfactory’ response by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the face of Panama Papers disclosures that led to corruption allegations against his family, ARY News reported. Without naming anyone, PM during his speech said everyone keeping secret offshore properties would be exposed soon. “I assure this House that the government wants immediate and comprehensive probe into the matter,” he said, adding that we do not want to make it an issue of ego. We do not need any constitutional or legal immunity, we experienced ruthless accountability in the past and we are ready for it today as well. He lamented that opposition’s TORs focus a single person and that he was indicted before the formation of the commission. “I had nothing to hide earlier, nor I have it now,” he said noting that his family instead of earning my family has lost things after being coming into politics. “We want those involved in corruption and taking kickbacks also to be brought forth” he said. In an indirect reference to Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen, the PM asked them to explain how their journey started and what were their sources of income. He lambasted that fake stories were furnished pertaining to his tax returns. The premier also presented the documents before the Parliament to justify his statement. “We [Sharif family] paid Rs 10 billion taxes in past 23 years, while I personally paid Rs 36 million,” he said. The prime minister offered to form a parliamentary committee on decide on the terms of reference (TORs) of the Panama commission. He said leveling allegations without investigation not only puts credibility of a politician into question, but also tarnishes image of politics. This issue can’t end here. Hence the issue has surfaced, public should know the reality now, stated the PM. PTI chief Imran Khan is expected to raise several questions on PM’s properties abroad. Khan has made it clear to seek answers from the premier on the issue Panama leaks scandalizes PM Sharif On April 22, PM Nawaz Sharif had pledged to resign if a probe related to the Panama Papers tax scandal found his family had committed any wrongdoing. Three of Sharif’s children were named in a vast leak of documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca this month that has revealed how the wealthy hide their money. The premier has announced a probe into the revelations contained in the Panama Papers, which claim his children owned London property through an offshore company. But the chief justice refused to form a commission, citing complications on terms of references devised by the government. The leaked papers, comprising 11.5 million documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, exposes how some of the world’s most powerful people have secreted their money offshore, and also implicated Sharif’s sons Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz. Maryam Nawaz in spotlight over ‘UK firm’ Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, owns Nelson Enterprises in the United Kingdom, shows a document revealed by Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca. Fonseca gave details to British Financial Investigation Agency upon latter’s request. The agency had sought ownership details of Nelson Enterprises on June 14, 2012. The document shows that Nelson Enterprises has owner enlisted as Maryam Safdar since 2012. While Ms Maryam has denied owning any such property in London or elsewhere abroad. She said those claiming she had properties abroad must prove it. The letter, written by Fonseca, was dated in 2012 and shows address of the owner as follow: Saroor Palace, Rowasi Road in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Chief justice says ‘No’ to judicial commission Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali has also refused to constitute a judicial commission as requested by the government to investigate revelations made in the Panama Papers implicating political leaders for having offshore wealth. The chief justice responded to the government letter, saying that formation of commission was impossible in view of the terms of references laid out by the government. He said a considerable amount of time was required to form a commission under current ToRs.