Daily Times

KARACHI: People from different walks of life while appreciating the verdict of Supreme Court in Panama case have called for the continuation of the accountability process saying that the Mian Nawaz Sharif’s should not be the first and last case as Generals, Judges, bureaucrats and Journalists should also face the music.

At a busiest intersection of Karachi’ Saddar, Zoaib Khan called for the implementation of constitution’s Article 62/63 across the board including generals, judges, bureaucrats and journalists since some in these categories consider themselves above the law.

“This verdict has provided the base and in fact it is the dawn of new era of accountability to root out corruption from the society” said Zahid Raza

Salman Siddiqi, a banker, viewed that Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on a weak ground. “Why only Sharif family was taken into court, every politician is corrupt, indiscriminate accountability must be ensured”, he stressed.

“It is not a time to celebrate” Altaf Shakoor, President PASBAN said adding “struggle must be continued to bring back billions of rupees deposited in foreign banks” .

Nawaz Sharif must not be the last persons facing such fate accountability must be continued and the circle of accountability ought to be extended to others, Shakook said. “PTI has become a shelter of black sheep, all of them who think that joining PTI means they have been dry cleaned, must be taken to the task.

Mansoor Mani, a journalist, said Nawaz Sharif was facing allegations which he could not defend properly. “This verdict is a good sign and shows courage of judiciary. We have to see that the verdict meets all standards of justice or there were deviations”, Mani said adding “the scope of accountability must be broadened to generals, bureaucrats, judges and journalists for better and prospers Pakistan”.

“The business community has taken sigh of relief following the announcement of Panama because uncertainty had caused them huge financial losses”, said Atiq Mir, Chairman of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad. He also called for the continuation of accountability process and its extension to country’s big fishes.

Ahmed Ashfaq, an educationist, said that disqualification of Nawaz sharif is the start of a new era in the history of Pakistan, where justice will prevail as a supreme force. This case was less about corruption and accountability more about warning the political class about who really runs Pakistan, he observed.

Published in Daily Times, July 29^th , 2017.