Khan backs Gen Raheel’s call for across the board accountability

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has endorsed Army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s call for countrywide fight against corruption.

“Every single Pakistani stands with the army chief Gen Raheel’s stance’s on across-the-board accountability in the country,” Imran said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday.

In a veiled reference to the Panama Papers saga, the army chief stressed on the need for an “across-the-board accountability” and for corruption to be uprooted to ensure the nation’s prosperity.

“Across-the-board accountability is necessary for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Pakistan. Pakistan’s armed forces will fully support every meaningful effort in that direction, which would ensure a better future for our next generations,” Gen Raheel said during his visit to the Signal Regimental Centre in Kohat.

The PTI chairman once again asked the prime minister to answer the questions raised in the wake of Panama Papers.

“The prime minister will have to answer the masses [about his alleged offshore wealth],” he said.

While giving the example of British Prime Minister David Cameron who recently made his tax returns for the last six years public, Imran said Nawaz should answer where his family made money from.

“Nawaz’s daughter and son’s statements are contradictory,” he alleged.

The government has been under tremendous pressure since the Panama Papers revealed the names of around 220 Pakistanis, including the PM’s immediate family members, keeping offshore accounts in international tax havens.

Instead of responding to the controversial Panama Papers accusations, the prime minister and his party were using blackmailing tactics to silence him, Imran said.