Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: In a surprise move, a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation led by Opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah visited Lal Haveli, the residence of their bitter political rival Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and invited him to an ‘all-parties conference’ to be held on May 2 on the issue of Panama leaks. Leader of the Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rasheed accepted the invitation. The visit was part of PPP’s strategy to cobble opposition parties together against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the backdrop of offshore investment scandal as revealed by the Panama Papers. The visit was not less than a surprise for diehard workers of the PPP who always despise Sheikh Rasheed for his objectionable remarks against the top party leadership. Though Sheikh Rasheed’s Awami Muslim League has only one seat in the National Assembly, he always remains in the limelight because of his verbosity and the media clout.

PPP’s leader Aitzaz Ahsan said in a joint press conference with Sheikh Rasheed that the one point agenda of the opposition is to conduct Forensic Audit before the establishment of judicial commission on Panama Leaks. Prime minister formed the Terms of References (TORs) according to his will, he said, adding that they will announce the next strategy on May 2, conference after consultation with political parties. Name of PM and his family members are on the top of the list in Panama papers.

Therefore, accountability should be initiated from the PM and his family, Aitzaz said. He said that the transfer of capital to foreign country should be account through forensic audit and bank transactions evidence must be collected. He said that the son of PM confessed that they have assets in other countries. Everything should go through four different phases including the special legislation, he further added. Khursheed Shah said that accountability should be started from PM. AML Leader Shaikh Rasheed claimed in sarcastic way that PM used to address in his house known as “Lal Haveli”. He offered his gratitude to PPP leaders for invitation and said that a country whose PM get scandalize, do not get loan from donor countries. On this occasion, he also raised the slogan “Go Nawaz Go”.