PANAMAGATE: PAK PM GETS TEMPORARY REPRIEVE
PANAMA PAPERS SCANDAL Pakistan SC gives 2month reprieve, orders joint team to investigate charges against PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given a twomonth reprieve on Thursday as Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered further probe into corruption allegations against him, saying there wasn’t enough evidence to order his removal. Sharif had a narrow escape after a split decision by the five-member bench of the Supreme Court, with two judges recommending that the premier be told to step down. The bench ordered the setting up of a joint investigation team (JIT) within a week to probe the allegations against Sharif. Three judges ruled in favour of the JIT, which was directed to complete its probe in two months. The SC also ordered Sharif, 67, and his two sons, Hasan and Hussain, to appear before the JIT.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given a twomonth reprieve on Thursday as Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered further investigations into corruption allegations against him, saying there wasn’t enough evidence to order his removal.
Sharif had a narrow escape after a split decision by the fivemember bench of the Supreme Court, with two judges recommending that the premier be told to step down.
The bench ordered the setting up of a joint investigation team (JIT) within a week to probe allegations linked to the Panama Papers leaks. Three judges ruled in favour of the JIT, which was directed to complete its probe in two months.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan demanded Sharif’s resignation.
“I demand that Sharif should resign immediately as he has lost moral authority to rule the country,” Khan said at a press conference.
The Supreme Court also ordered Sharif, 67, and his two sons, Hasan and Hussain, to appear before the JIT.
“A thorough investigation is required,” Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said, announcing the highly anticipated ruling following a months-long hearing stemming from the Panama Papers leaks last year that linked Sharif’s family to offshore assets.
Khawaja Saad Rafiq, a senior leader of Sharif’s PML-N party, said the judgement was an endorsement of the government.
“Nawaz Sharif will be the prime minister as we go into the 2018 elections,” Rafiq said. He noted that a JIT was proposed by the prime minister himself some months ago.
Another senior PML-N leader, Ahsan Iqbal, said Sharif will present himself before the JIT, which will comprise officials from the Federal Investigation Agency, National Accountability Bureau, Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Military Intelligence.