Government fears tussle with PPP: no top official to go to Geneva for talks on Swiss stash of money

In order to avoid confrontation with Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) during present political turmoil, the government has stopped high officials from leaving for Switzerland to initiate formal talks for the return of the plundered money - US $200 billion; it is learnt here on Tuesday. Sources said the government after amendments made in Swiss laws decided to take up issues related to avoidance of double taxation and return of the plundered money with the Swiss authorities.
They said the government, which scheduled meetings with Swiss authorities a few months ago, was now not in a mood to open a new front with PPP during present political turmoil. Therefore, government has sent a team with no high-official to Geneva just to meet its commitment with Swiss authorities, sources informed.
They said the chairman FBR along with other high officials from the Ministry of Finance was supposed to fly with the delegation where they would sign formal agreements - avoidance of double taxation treaty and return of the plundered money with the Swiss authorities but they had been stopped to avoid any confrontation with PPP during present political turmoil.
Moreover, sources said the visit of Pakistani officials to Geneva was nothing but a first step towards formal agreements with Swiss authorities. They hoped that both the authorities may chalk out a legal framework for this purpose after the settlement of ongoing political instability.