ISLAMABAD: As the Supreme Court reserved verdict in the Panama case, opposition parties maintained that the days of the prime minister were numbered now and that he would be disqualified soon. Leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) held a meeting and discussed the overall current and future situation when the SC gives its judgment. Party Chairman Bilwal Bhutto Zardardi presided over the meeting.
PPP leaders told journalists after the meeting that the PM very well knows what the SC decision would be. “Nawaz Sharif is making every state institution controversial,” Sherry said while urging the premier to step down.
Former Punjab governor and PPP leader Latif Khosa said that the PPP played a significant part in strengthening democracy and it will protect the Supreme Court. Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed told journalists outside the SC that they would fight till the end. “We will fight like Hussain (AS) and live like Ali (AS). Time will prove it,” he maintained. He said it was up to the premier to decide on his resignation. “Whether you (PM) resign or not, your real face has been exposed to the entire world. You are corrupt, dishonest,” he said.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj-ul-Haq reiterated the call for PM Nawaz Sharif to resign and present himself before the public for accountability. Haq vowed to push for accountability of all those named in the Panama Papers. “After Nawaz Sharif, we will continue to push for accountability of all the others who were named in the Panama Papers,” he said. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry strongly asserted that the day had its historic importance as the top court concluded the high-profile case. “Supreme Court will likely announce its final verdict within 10 days,” he said.
Published in Daily Times, July 22nd , 2017.
