Leader of the House in Senate Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said that the opposition by rejecting formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) in Panama Papers case showed that they have accepted that the verdict announced by the apex court is not against the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He regretted the opposition's protest inside the house and the walkout, saying the opposition lawmakers were given ample opportunity to present their stance but they opted to stage walkout, which was unfortunate. On the opposition's demand that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should step down, the leader of the house in Senate said the opposition has no moral justification to demand resignation from the Prime Minister, adding the apex court verdict is against the wishes of the opposition parties which are now raising hue and cry.
He declared the court's judgement a victory of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his party and the people of Pakistan. Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry criticised the opposition calling them "declared corrupt" who were now levelling allegations of corruption on others.
"The apex court in its decision has cleared the Premier of all the allegations levelled against him and his family," he said and also dubbed Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) as the "most corrupt." He said it was the government which had recommended formation of Judicial Commission but the opposition took the case to court, adding there was hardly any politician in history of Pakistan who and his family faced such a strict accountability process but it is Nawaz Sharif who voluntarily offered himself for the accountability.
"PTI Chief Imran Khan levelled false allegations against daughter of Prime Minister Marriyam Nawaz, but in the detailed verdict, nothing was proved against her," he maintained. He said those defying the decision of the Supreme Court had repeatedly stated in the past that they will accept the court verdict. He said the majority decision is based on constitutional provisions as the judges clearly cited that the court had not the powers under Article 184 to disqualify Nawaz Sharif without proper investigation.
He said the PML-N had accepted decision with an open heart, adding those who are speaking against the verdict and not accepting it are committing contempt of court. He said PML-N leadership would face the investigation under the JIT as the party respects the court verdict.
Daniyal Aziz said there are seven items in the opposition's plea and the majority of judges have rejected all of these points in their decision. "Maryam Nawaz whom these leaders have been charging all the time, was cleared by the court," he said. He questioned as to whether Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen had not sought relief in whitening their "black money" and submitting fines for concealment of assets.
"Imran and Jehangir Tareen cannot deny that they got whitened their black money and confessed before state institutions about concealment of assets and setting up firms in the name of their personal servants," he added.
Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Prime Minister has set an example by presenting himself for accountability before the apex court. She said that the Prime Minister would also answer all the questions of the JIT. "Those rejecting the JIT are doing contempt of court," she said. Minister of State for Water and Power Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali said that the court in its decision has proved the allegation levelled against the Prime Minister and his children as false and it is the victory of the Prime Minister, the democracy and the justice.
He said that PML-N respects the Constitution and sanctity of the institutions, adding the demand of the opposition is reflective of its frustration on the decision. He said that all the political parties should accept and honour the decision of the apex court and avoid creating hurdles in the path of investigation by JIT. "If the opposition parties do not agree to the JIT mentioned in the decision, should we constitute a JIT headed by PPPP leaders", he asked, mocking the PPP's senior leadership.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017