The opposition parties today (Thursday) would raise the issue of "Panama Leaks" vigorously on the floor of the National Assembly. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday submitted separate adjournment motions in the National Assembly to discuss "Panama Leaks" relating to involvement of Pakistanis, especially the family of the Prime Minister.
According to adjournment motion submitted by the PPP, "We the undersigned invite the attention of Minister for Interior and Minister for Finance towards the revelations made in "Panama Leaks" related to Pakistani's covert investments in dubious offshore companies to gain some undue advantages. Involvement of Pakistanis, especially the family of serving Prime Minister in such activities raises many questions on the legality as well as morality of such actions. These allegations bring disgrace to the country as PM of Pakistan and his family is named along with mafia gangs, terrorists and other wrong doers.
This is a serious matter as it questions the credibility and integrity of many high profile people of the country, including immediate family of sitting Prime Minister. It immediately needs to be discussed on the floor of the House so that a thorough mechanism could be devised to probe the levied allegations." According to an adjournment motion submitted by the PTI, "We wish to submit an adjournment motion under Rule 109 of Rules of Business for adjournment of business of the House to discuss an issue of grave national importance affecting the very foundation of our Constitution and Democracy. The revelation, now termed the "Panama Leaks" have been made in the international media about off shore accounts and wealth stashed abroad by important figures of many nationalities in which our Prime Minister's family names are also mentioned along with other Pakistani nationals.
These revelations raise serious legal and ethical issues in Pakistan relating to possible infringement of the Constitution, electoral laws, tax evasion and money laundering. Therefore, we the undersigned, feel adjournment of House is required to discuss this issue of critical national interest and concern.
Sheikh Salahuddin, Member National Assembly (MNA) of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said that it is a very serious issue and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government should clear its position as the nation wants to know the wealth held abroad by the prime minister's family,"
He said that the MQM would raise the issue on the floor of the National Assembly, adding the PML-N government must give a detailed briefing to the house as this is a very serious issue "and we can not let it go like this". MNA Sher Akbar Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) stated that "those who are inviting foreign investment into the country are remitting their black money to foreign countries". He said that his party would raise this issue in the Lower House of the Parliament for discussion.