Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani on Sunday refused to head a Panama leaks enquiry committee, a day after Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah suggested his name for the post.
On the other hand, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has expressed the government’s determination to go ahead with an enquiry commission as per the announcement of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Panama Papers, a vast collection of documents leaked from a Panama-based law firm, revealed three scions of Prime Minister Nawaz’s family were among the thousands of people who stashed assets in offshore companies. While denying any wrongdoing, the PM announced a commission, to be led by a retired Supreme Court judge, to investigate the charges against his family.
RABBANI SAYS NOT FIT TO PROBE:
“I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by the opposition leader, by suggesting my name to head a Parliament Committee to inquire into the Panama leaks. I am not available for consideration amongst other probable for the following amongst other reasons and grounds,” a press statement issued by Rabbani’s office said on Sunday.
According to the statement, the Senate chairman believes that his position as Senate chairman “may have the potential of creating a conflict of interest” besides the inquiry involves “complicated questions of facts, laws and cross jurisdictions which requires specialisation in the said fields”.
Rabbani suggested he “lacks expertise in the field of investigation of white collar crimes” which is the prime requirement in this case.
The senator also claims to have his “own viewpoint with reference to the effectiveness or otherwise of a Parliamentary Committee” therefore it may not be appropriate for him to assume the task at this stage.
Based on the above points, the chairman of Upper House of the Parliament requested that all speculations and comments regarding him with reference to Khursheed Shah’s earlier statement should be stopped.
The development comes in the wake of two main opposition groups, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s, rejection of the probe by a retired judge, insisting that the chief justice of Pakistan lead the proposed enquiry commission.
On Friday, the government persuaded Justice (r) Sarmad Jalal Osmany to head the commission. Five retired judges of the Supreme Court had already refused to lead the inquiry, according to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
“We have respect for Justice Osmany, but his wife has joined the PML-N. An inquiry led by him will not be considered impartial,” Shah had said while talking to media at the Karachi Press Club.
“If the CJP does not agree [to head the commission], then a parliamentary commission, led by Raza Rabbani, should be given the task. MPs from treasury and opposition benches should be included in such a commission,” Shah added, claiming the Senate chairman would be acceptable to all political parties.
According to some leaders of the ruling PML-N, the government is feeling a bit relieved after Rabbani’s decision to not head any enquiry and the opposition’s decision to reject the government’s proposed probe panel.
“Rabbani’s refusal has left the Pakistan People’s Party with little or no control over the affairs of the enquiry committee, which is a relief for the government,” said one source, seeking anonymity.
A PPP source, on the other hand, said that Khursheed Shah had called on Raza Rabbani on Sunday and persuaded him to reconsider his decision. Shah also made Rabbani talk to party chief Asif Zardari on the telephone, but even then Rabbani refused to budge from his stance.
A government source meanwhile said that Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayyed of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) could be a probable choice for both the PML-N and PPP to head the committee.
“Mushahid has good terms with leaders of both parties and he is also in the good books of PTI chief Imran Khan so it’s likely that he may be appointed to head the enquiry commission,” the source claimed.
Yes. Committees or commissions bear neither respect in this country nor they yield any results, says past experience. His decison is right.
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