Maryam Nawaz says no compromise will be made on authority of elected govt, as PM Nawaz directs leaders not to pay heed to ‘conspiracy theories’
A high-level meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House on Thursday rejected the demand made by the opposition parties to form a judicial commission headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan to probe the allegations leveled in the Panama Papers, deciding that the commission would comprise retired judges as promised by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his address to the nation.
The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, who is looking after all the affairs of the PM House in absence of Prime Minister Nawaz. The meeting decided to formalise the commission as soon as possible.
A well-placed source said that the meeting also finalised the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the commission while it was also decided that the commission would be asked to review some references in this regard.
“During the meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz’s daughter Maryam Nawaz made a passionate speech, vowing that the elected government would not accept any undue pressure and no compromise would be made on the authority of the elected government,” the source said.
The source added that Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf gave a detailed briefing to the meeting over the ToRs and the contacts made with some of the retired judges to be included in the commission.
The source said that the meeting also took stock of the situation developing in wake of the Panama Leaks and it was decided that the government would remain steadfast in its commitment to the people and State of Pakistan and no leniency would be shown to the detractors of the democratic process.
When contacted, PM House Spokesman Muhayuddin Wani confirmed the meeting, saying the participants had noted that a conspiracy was being hatched against the elected government. However, the meeting agreed to fight all such conspiracies, disallowing all sorts of nefarious designs against the development process initiated by the PM, he added.
The participants vowed to carry forward the process of economic development in the country, and it was decided that the government would launch a contact drive with all democratic forces to take them on board over the conspiracies being hatched against the elected government.
Senator Dar also informed the meeting about the fresh directions of the prime minister to the participants.
He said the premier had directed the government officials not to pay heed to the conspiracy theories and rather shift their focus towards the projects of national development and prosperity.
The meeting was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sahrif, Federal Minister for Information Pervez Rashid, Minister for SAFRON Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Minister for Defence Khwaja Asif, Minister for Law Zahid Hamid, Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique and Senator Mushahidullah.