ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Opposition parties on Saturday rejected a commission led by Justice (r) Sarmad Jalal Usmani to probe a mega leak by Panama Papers, saying wife of the former judge is affiliated with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Leader of Opposition in National Assembly (NA) Khurshid Shah said that his party had reservations the day Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the setting up of a commission. He said that Justice (r) Usmani should not head the commission irrespective of the fact that he is a respected figure. Shah said if a commission is formed under the chief justice of Pakistan, a joint committee of parliament also needs to be made. Shah said that Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani can also be considered to lead the commission. He added that all parties are pursuing a common goal with regards to Panama leaks investigation that the probe must be based on facts. PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that his party did not oppose PTI’s demand that the commission should be led by the chief justice of Pakistan, adding that PPP was demanding forensic audit of the matter for a comprehensive investigation.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated that his party has dismissed the commission, adding that their consent was not sought prior to the constitution of the commission. He said that Justice (r) Usmani is a respectable person, however, his wife is affiliated with the PML-N.
Qureshi said that the government announced the commission out of confusion and anxiety. He further stated that this is not a matter of ego as everyone wants a transparent investigation into the matter.
The PTI leader said that the government should clarify its strategy vis-à-vis investigation. He said the PPP leadership was also demanding a logical conclusion of the investigation, adding that PTI and PPP should work together and formulate joint strategy on the issue.
To a query, Qureshi said if any of his party leaders was found having offshore holdings, the same law would apply to him.
