Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday held a consultative meeting with his legal and political teams to discuss future plan of action of the party after the Supreme Court reserved its verdict in the Panama Papers case. The meeting began soon after the court reserved its judgment subsequent to a five-day hearing on the report of joint investigation team (JIT) constituted earlier by the court. The legal advisors of the government Barrister Zafarullah, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) and Prime Minister's lawyer Khawaja Harris briefed the Prime minister about court's proceedings.

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif flew from Lahore on a special plane to participate in the very crucial meeting on the future course of action of the party. The consultative huddle presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is said to have discussed future options available to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in case of adverse judgment against Sharif family in the case.

The Prime Minister is said to have directed the chief minister Punjab to bring Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan on board by easing his concerns. The meeting reportedly discussed who should be the next leader of the house in case of the Prime Minister's disqualification. The Prime Minister is also expected to have a consultative meeting with his ally parties on the unfolding political scenario in the wake of Panama Papers case and how to deal with the expected ascend in the pressure on the Prime Minister by the opposition parties to step down. Earlier, the Prime Minister has repeatedly said that he would not resign in response to opposition parties' demand for his resignation.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017