Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked cabinet members not to defend him in the Panama case but to defend the truth during a federal cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Sources told Daily Times that during the federal cabinet meeting, FATA reforms committee’s recommendations could not be passed due to the differences of two allied parties, JUI F and KPK’s Mili Awami party. On this, the prime minister postponed the approval of the FATA committee recommendations and decided to consult both parties on the issue.

In the cabinet meeting, a formal agenda was postponed and members discussed the political situation for over one hour. All bureaucrats were ordered to leave the cabinet room. Cabinet members discussed in details PPP and PTI’s allegations regarding Panama leaks on the prime minister and his family members.

Sources revealed that after listening to the members, the Prime Minister was of the view that first he would presented himself before parliament and present the facts on the allegations levelled at him by the opposition. Then the Supreme Court took up the issue and he left his destiny in the hands of the court. “I will accept the decision, be it in my favour or against me as I highly regard the judiciary,” the prime minister said.

The federal cabinet Thursday also offered prayers for the victims of the PIA’s PK-661 flight from Chitral to Islamabad that was carrying 47 onboard and crashed near Havelian last week. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, a PM house statement issued here said.