Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, Pakistan, Photo Shubert Ciencia from Nueva Ecija, Philippines/Wikimedia
Following a scathing Supreme Court verdict raising questions about the Sharif family’s property in London and ordering a wider probe into Panamagate scandal, Pakistan’s legal fraternity has joined the Opposition parties in calling from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation.
Tehreek-e-Insaf Party of Imran Khan, which fought the legal battle seeking disqualification of the prime minister on corruption charges, has already stepped up pressure on Sharif to exit the office in step with the Constitution. Pakistan Peoples Party, a much weakened political voice since its 2013 election, has also called for Sharif’s ouster.
On Saturday, members of Lahore High Court Bar Association Sharif, head of the ruling PML(N) party to “resign within a week, or face a lawyers’ movement bigger than the one that followed ex-chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s ouster in 2007.”
The reference to lawyers’ movement recalls huge demonstrations, which supported by masses, led to restoration of Justice Chaudhry, who was sacked by military ruler Pervez Musharraf. Ironically, the PML (N) was among supporters of the movement about a decade ago.
But Sharif’s supporters say nothing has been proved against the prime minister and there is no reason for him to resign in the wake of verdict, which they see as vindicating the prime minister’s stance on the purchase of property.
But LHCBA leaders saw the situation differently, holding a Press conference in Sharif’s hometown and political stronghold Lahore.
Prime Minister Nawaz Shaif Photo: Hamed Malekpour via Wikimedia Commons
“Throughout the world, public office holders implicated in the Panama scandal have relinquished their posts, but PM Nawaz is adamant to stay in power,” Zulfiqar Chaudhary, president of the association, said, emphasizing that the Bar association’s demand for PM’s resignation was legitimate and fair.
“How can officers of various governments agencies or departments conduct a fair investigation into the PM’s alleged corruption?” asked Chaudhry. Rashid Lodhi, Vice President of the bar association, referring to the JIT which will comprise officials from various government organizations.
“This is the first time such a high-profile case of corruption went up to the Supreme Court and some pertinent questions were raised by the court regarding the PM’s money-trail. These questions cannot be put aside.”
“The Supreme Court has rejected the prime minister’s claims, and for that reason, Nawaz Sharif has lost the moral authority to stay in power,” he went on to say.
The JIT will submit its report within 60 days after formation.
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