KALLAR SYEDAN: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on Saturday said that government was ready to get revelations made by Panama Papers investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Talking to reporters, the minister said two former Supreme Court chief justices had already refused to head the judicial commission instated to probe claims made by Panama Papers regarding offshore assets belonging to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family.
“Government contacted two former chief justices for heading the judicial commission but due to hue and cry of the opposition, they refrained from it,” he said.
He asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to point out any officer of his choice for conducting the inquiry if he wanted Panama leak to be probed by the FIA.
“But, if the aim is to only level allegations and defame the government, then the nation should decide. If the nation has to be informed about the facts, then PTI should sit with the government and play its role to create an independent judicial commission,” he said.
Nisar said heads of a number of countries were accused but most of them ignored the Panama papers. However, the prime minister took notice of the issue and announced formation of the judicial commission, he said, adding if there is any proof, it should be presented before the judicial commission.
He said he agreed with Imran Khan that nation should be informed about the facts but this could not be done through sit-ins. He said offer of the government for judicial commission was unconditional. The government would take a decision on the issue of judicial commission in a day or two, he added. Nisar said no one will be allowed to hold public rally in the federal capital. He said that he will consult with political parties after the approval of the federal cabinet regarding public rallies in Islamabad. The minister said PTI would not be allowed to hold public meeting in F-9 Park on April 24 or a gathering in D-Chowk. The F-9 Park is for recreation of public and sit-ins and public meetings could not be allowed there, he added.
He said the federal government could not seal capital every other day, adding in this connection a decision has been made and after approval of the cabinet soon, all the political parties would be taken into confidence.
He said Imran Khan does not have the prerogative to address the people on national television. In the whole world, only presidents and prime ministers can address on the national channel and even opposition leader does not enjoy this privilege, he added. He said Imran Khan is not even an opposition leader and is just a member of the National Assembly. “When I was leader of the opposition, despite requests, coverage was not given to me,” he said, adding complete speech of Imran Khan in the National Assembly was shown by the private media and he was, anyhow, getting more coverage than president and prime minister.
PML-N would not always be staying in power, he remarked, adding Pakistan was already facing image problem due to terrorism and frequent sealing of the capital had affected image of the country abroad. The protest activities caused problems for the residents of Islamabad, he said.
Nisar said those parties which wanted to show their political power, have the whole country except Islamabad, for this purpose. He said a particular point would be designated in future for any public meeting in Islamabad.
