Daily Times

The Panama issue took a new turn on Tuesday when tax expert Dr Ikramul Haq revealed that Hussain Nawaz, the youngest son of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, already knew about the revelations before the issue even raised its head.

“Before the Panama issue got big, three journalists representing International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) from Pakistan sent questionnaire though email to Hussain Nawaz few months back,” Dr Ikram said.

“But instead of answering their questions, Hussain Nawaz in few TV interviews admitted that they (Sharif family) have offshore companies because he knew this issue will be highlighted soon.”

The tax expert also mentioned about a joint initiative of World Bank and United Office for Drugs and Crime – Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative – saying case 147 of StAR reports Nawaz Sharif as beneficiary owner of two offshore companies.

“If the House believes the country’s image is being tarnished, parliament should immediately form a separate inquiry committee to probe into the matter. All the records should be collected,” said Dr Ikram.

“A joint session of parliament should also be called on emergency basis to discuss the subject.” The tax expert also proposed a joint committee of parliament and Supreme Court to investigate the Panama revelations.

On the possibility of international firms investigating the matter, Dr Ikram said parliament could ask The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan to look into the matter, provided the parliamentary body wants the statutory body to investigate the matter.

Commenting on Nawaz Sharif’s statement in which the prime minister had claimed that the offshore companies were his children’s properties, the tax expert said: “Their character should be sagacious.”

“These declarations are available. If we look into the declaration of general elections 2013, the prime minister has received gifts from his children and has given them gifts as well. Such talks are contrary to the facts.”