An intervention by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Shareef in the form of an advice to Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif to resolve the Panama Leaks issue during a one-on-one meeting has opened a new chapter for all sorts of speculations in media and different echelons of society. Why did the COAS feel the need to discuss the issue with the PM? What message has been conveyed to the civilian set-up by military establishment? These and many other questions have been raised in the wake of this important meeting, and that too amidst reports of strained relations between civil and military leadership over the launch of an army operation in Punjab. It is, however, clear that government has been told to clear all these allegations without any further delay. The COAS has asked the PM to resolve the issue in consultation with the opposition at the earliest as the protracted Panama Papers controversy is affecting governance and national security. So far, both the opposition and government are wrangling over the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for a formal inquiry into the Panama leaks issue. A stalemate over the formation of inquiry commission and its modus operandi lingers. The opposition demands the initiation of a probe into the alleged foreign wealth of Prime Minister Sharif and his family members first, while government has proposed a wide scope of investigation against all those Pakistanis who were named in the Panama Papers for having offshore companies and accounts. This has created an uncertain situation in the political landscape of the country. Government is perturbed over protests and statements of leaders from opposition parties, who are pointing fingers at government’s sincerity, and charges of corruption. A war of words is going on between the leadership from both sides. And amidst this, nobody is paying attention to the real matter that any controversy that continues to linger only damages national interests, which ultimately the masses will have to bear the brunt of. Government and opposition need to play a sensible role and should not waste time on petty politics. It is in the interests of politicians that they should not indulge in blame games. Both government and opposition parties should sit together to build consensus over the issue and resolve the matter at the earliest. Currently, the opposition has announced boycott of parliament unless the prime minister shows up in the house and clarifies his position. The PM cannot distance himself from the opposition. He should attend the National Assembly session and take the opposition into confidence to resolve the issue. At the same time, the COAS needs to avoid interference in political matters. Government needs to adopt a sensible approach to the Panama issue. It is better for the government that it should come clean before the nation. In case government does not mend its ways, an intervention by a ‘third party’ will be more likely and if it happens, it will bring disastrous results for the country. *