Panamagate and ToRs

Opposition is firm that inquiry of Panama leaks should be initiated from Sharif Family. Opposition political parties gathered in another round of talks on finalizing terms of references to probe the revelations of Panama Papers. Opposition believes that names of prime minister’s children – Hassan Nawaz Sharif, Hussain Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif have appeared in the leaks of holding offshore accounts, hence its moral duty of the premier to initiate accountability from his own family. This demand of opposition makes sense that premier is the custodian of the democracy and should be first to be investigated and rest to follow.  On the other side Panama Papers have driven the government into a world of their own – a world where they can hear only voices of its aides and ministers, and rational voices can’t penetrate it. Government is using the policy of delaying tactics, but it seems issue of Panama Papers is not going away anytime soon.  Talks between government and the parliamentary opposition have gone towards an expected pattern, long discussions on who is going to be investigated and who is not; who would be the first and who the last. Improvements in the system and reforms are missing agenda in the talks.  If Prime Minister agrees that accountability should be initiated from his own family, it would give him an opportunity to come out clear and with more moral authority to govern for rest of the tenure. This decision would give incumbent government strength, stability and political advantage. Government should indulge in constructive talks with opposition to work out their difference over ToRs to investigate Panama leaks.