Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently announced that he would write a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, requesting him to constitute a Judicial Commission to investigate the ‘Panama Papers’ scandal. The Panama Papers scandal has put Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PMLN) smoothing sailing government into a lot of trouble as opposition parties continue to mount pressure on the government to come clean on the off shore companies and properties held by the Sharif family.
The government accepted the demand of the opposition parties by writing to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, requesting him to constitute a Judicial Commission. However, the opposition parties including the Imran Khan led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have both rejected the Terms of Reference (ToRs) notified by the government for the commission. Addressing a large crowd in Islamabad gathered to celebrate the 20th foundation day of the party Imran warned that people would come out on the streets if the Prime Minister did not form a commission employing the services of global forensic auditors to hold him accountable first and the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the commission were worked out without the consultation of the opposition parties. The ruling party so far has adopted s tough stance on opposition demands and has gone on an offensive against opposition parties, particularly PTI. In a related development the government has decided to start public gatherings that will be addressed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Opposition parties and government should both work out there difference through a dialogue process instead of taking to the streets to decide the matters.
The ruling party has adopted an aggressive approach after the Panama Papers.
