Panama leaks not a source of accountability, says Pak PM

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said the Panama leaks scandal is not a source of accountability but exploitation.

He said Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) is the making “new Pakistan”. The Pak PM inaugurated the Lowari Tunnel in Upper Dir, which has been completed at a cost of about Rs 27 billion. Under the project, two tunnels of 10.5km long have been completed.

Talking about corruption charges against him, PM Sharif said whatever is happening in the country is not accountability but exploitation. “Nawaz Sharif has no knowledge what is he being held accountable of. Those who are demanding accountability from me should themselves come out clean first,” he asserted. He added: “I can guarantee no one will accept such accountability in Pakistan. I want to tell this to JIT, PTI.”

The Prime Minister said those begging for resignation every morning should be ashamed. “They are not asking but begging for the resignation. I will never bear such obscene allegations. I have not learnt to bow down before such corrupt forces,” he added.

He called on his opponents to tell him about the projects affected by corruption. “Tell me in which project did Nawaz Sharif committed corruption and confiscated commission,” he asked.

He said those seeking his resignation will be defeated in the next elections.

PM Sharif said Shahra-e-Dastoor (Constitution Avenue) was under siege by the Opposition for four months “as the coffins of law and constitution were taken out”.

He said he had not been involved in any sort of corruption. Rather, he has saved Rs 168 billion in various development projects. He told his government has launched development projects all over the country to improve the socio-economic condition of the people.

PM Sharif said that work on a number of power projects is in progress to overcome load shedding while the Golen Gol Hydropower Project in Chitral will be completed soon.