Panamagate: Imran Khan to protest in Islamabad, demands Nawaz’s resignation
Pak Opposition stages protests in both Houses of Parliament
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Friday announced that he would lead protests demanding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s resignation.
He said Mr Sharif had lost the moral authority to stay in office while being investigated.
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that there was insufficient evidence to order Mr Sharif ’s removal from office but called for a Joint Investigation team-led investigation into corruption allegations in connection with the Panama Papers leaks.
“They didn’t allow me to speak in Parliament… Next Friday, we are going to hold a rally in Islamabad and we will continue to demand Mr Sharif’s resignation,” Mr Khan said outside the National Assembly on Friday.
The PTI chief said the judges’ comments against the Prime Minister were historic. “Whatever happened in the Supreme Court, never happened in Pakistan before,” he said.
Earlier, the Opposition staged a walkout from the Lower House of Parliament after the deputy speaker refused to allow the PTI leader to address the lawmakers. Lawmakers in the Senate also staged a walkout, demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation.
“What happened today, is the reason why I think twice before coming to the Parliament,” Mr Khan said. “What kind of democracy... where I can’t
speak in Parliament?”
“Two senior judges of the Supreme Court have disqualified Nawaz Sharif over dishonesty. The court has already said that the national institutions have failed to perform their duties... So, how will the JIT act against him,” he said.
Earlier, a ruckus broke out in both the Houses of the Parliament after Opposition lawmakers, wearing black armbands, demanded that the Prime Minister should step down until the JIT completed its investigation.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah asked Nawaz Sharif to save the Parliament as well as democracy by stepping down.
“Two judges have disqualified him,” Mr Shah said, adding forming a JIT to probe the case was just “drama”.
The investigating team has two months to complete its inquiry, after which a special bench will decide what action to take, the court said.
The joint investigation team will comprise members from six different government bodies, including intelligence agencies and financial regulatory authorities.
“At least, three institutions are directly under the control of the Prime Minister and his ministers. I don’t see how theywould take a stand against the prime minister,” said legal expert Farogh Naseem.