Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that he had nothing to hide and he was ready for accountability at every level.

Addressing the National Assembly, the prime minister suggested that a parliamentary committee consisting of parliamentary leaders of all political parties should be formed to draft the terms of reference (ToRs) for the judicial commission, which would investigate the reports of the Panama Papers.

“A report was published in the media in April based on the reports of the Panama Papers, which named a number of Pakistanis who formed offshore companies. My two sons, who are living abroad and doing legal business, were also named in this report,” the prime minister said.

“Some of my fellow party members advised me not to explain my position, since I am not directly named,” the premier told the lower house of the parliament on Monday. “They advised me to form an impartial commission to investigate the issue.”

“I believe in the judiciary and even the retired judges, but some people reacted and even defamed the judges. Then they demanded an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA),” the premier said. He said that his government accepted their demand and nominated FIA officials trusted by the opposition, but even this proposal was rejected.

“Then they wanted a commission led by the supreme judiciary. We agreed to that, but then they made the issue of ToRs controversial.”

“Nobody should have any doubt that the ToRs suggested by the opposition focused only on my accountability. This was inexplicable that a man whose name was nowhere in the Panama Papers should explain his position.”

“My ministers and I do not fear accountability; we faced selective justice in the past as well,” he said.

The prime minister said that he wanted investigation into the allegations of corruption against all people, including those who took commission and who got their loans written off. “Today, people living in bungalows and travelling by helicopters are accusing me of misconduct. Can they explain it to the nation as to how they earned all this money and how much tax they paid?” asked Sharif.

The opposition members, as decided at a meeting before the NA session, did not create any disturbance during the speech. However, they staged a walkout after the prime minister’s address, saying “the prime minister’s address was of no use”.

Sharif said that he had nothing to hide earlier or now and he was just like an open book for the people. He said, “I have come into politics from business, not from politics into business and our business has been a story of hard work, honesty and dedication.”

“Our family has paid taxes and duties of about Rs 10 billion in 23 years,” he added.

He categorically stated that no money from Pakistan was transferred abroad for London flats and Jeddah Steel Mills. He said that he had with him all documents relating to transactions of Dubai and Jeddah factories. He said that London flats were purchased from the proceeds of the Jeddah factory.

The prime minister asked the parliament to consider a comprehensive and effective system of accountability as per spirit of the Charter of Democracy signed by him and late Benazir Bhutto.

He said the story of those who indulged in corruption, misuse of power, tax evasion, kickbacks, illegal transfer of money abroad and got their loans written off should come before the people of Pakistan. He said that he wanted investigation into the issue without any delay, as the country must not be taken hostage again by any crisis. He said the government wanted to focus on progress and development and interest of the nation. He said that he did not want to make it an issue of personal ego.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the prime minister had proposed a committee, which would be the appropriate forum to go into details of the terms of reference for the judicial commission. He asked the National Assembly speaker to form the committee immediately in consultation with the opposition leaders.