Pakistani govt rejects Opposition terms for Panama probe

The Pakistani government on Saturday rejected the terms of reference proposed by the Opposition for the commission to probe the Panama leaks scandal. At a meeting presided by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the ruling coalition said the Opposition had given a one-sided decision. His allies gave Mr Sharif the power to take a decision regarding the probe, and backed talks with the Opposition, officials said. Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (Fazal) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a key ally, said that the Opposition’s TOR were against the Constitution. The meeting was attended by Maulana Rehman, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Mir Hasil Bazenjo of the National Party. Federal finance minister Ishaq Dar, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, defence minister Khawaja Mohammed Asif and information minister Pervez Rashid were also present in the meeting. Panama leaks have put spotlight on offshore holdings of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family and over 200 Pakistanis, prompting calls from opposition groups to hold a transparent judicial probe with the help of forensic experts. Earlier this week, nine opposition parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP and the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), presented a joint TOR, asking the government to start accountability process from Prime Minister Sharif’s family. It was also demanded that the investigation commission, led by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, should submit its report within three months. The opposition demanded that inquiry regarding the other individuals named in the Panama leaks be completed within one year and that the services of international audit experts be sought in regards to the investigation. The proposed TOR were also sent to PM’s Office along with a letter.