ISLAMABAD JULY 17 (TNS): Prior to the hearing of Panama case, opposition leaders, including Babar Awan, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid, MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar arrived at the apex court and spoke to the media.
Reiterating their demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation, they highlighted different grounds on the basis of which the PM is supposed to resign.
Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid said on the occasion that the PM should immediately resign. Sheikh Rashid, one of the petitioners in the original Panama Papers case, addressed the media saying the entire nation stands behind the apex court. “I’ll first see what the court says before submitting another petition to disqualify Nawaz Sharif,” he said.
Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also spoke to the media. He said the Supreme Court is doing what the Parliament should have done.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said PTI is among other opposition parties that are demanding the resignation of the prime minister. “The government’s strategy since day one has been to delay the proceedings,” he said while answering a question.
Sirajul Haq, Jamaat-e-Islami chief, one of the petitioners in the case, said: “There is no hidden agenda; the nation only wants a corruption-free country. Nawaz Sharif has to go now, there is no other way. We want no one in Parliament who does not adhere to articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.”
The JI chief said they are hopeful, all are equal in the eyes of the law and others named in the Panama Leaks will be brought to book as well.
PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said it is not in Pakistan’s interest for the premier to stay in office for another day. “It seems now the resignation will not be given but taken,” he added.
“Nawaz Sharif does not hold ‘high moral ground’ after the JIT report, which is why he should step down,” Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan-Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar said. “PML-N has to decide what advice they will give to their leader, keeping in mind the interests of the country.”
While talking to media outside the Supreme Court Babar Awan said that all the nation, lawyers and PTI are with the Supreme Court regarding the decision over JIT report.
“If one more Judge will give his decision, then the decision will be finalized regarding Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification from government, he said.
PML-N’s Abid Sher Ali claimed the JIT has concoctions, not facts-based evidence. He criticized Sheikh Rashid’s political career, highlighting his role as Nawaz Sharif’s aide before the Pervez Musharraf government.
“God willing the apex court will decide the case on merit and not on Imran Khan’s wishes,” he said, adding that despite whatever happened “we respect the honorable judges”.
