Imran Khan threatens to launch movement if Panama Papers not probed

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Wednesday addressed the parliament as the joint opposition ended their boycott.

The PTI chief, who spoke after Khursheed Shah, said Pakistan, may have begun as a democratic nation but has ended up with a monarchy.

“In a democracy, it is the government’s job to make laws and govern. On the other hand, it is the opposition’s job to make sure the ruling party is accountable at all costs,” said Khan, while adding that the opposition is only strengthening democracy by demanding action.

The PTI chief went on to add that parliament had given every member the right to criticise. “The institution would have no value if it weren’t for this right,” he added.

Talking about allegations being hurled against him, the PTI chief said the PML-N government has done so while not launching an official probe against him.

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre has been under attack in the past numerous times, Khan said. But, he said it stood strong against all the tests.

Khan also offered the government to investigate the flow of funds in and out of Shaukat Khanum hospital.

“The prime minister is damaging a hospital which gives the poor the same standard of treatment as the rich. The government is ready to destroy Pakistan’s biggest charity hospital with these allegations,” said Imran.

The PTI chief went on to add that Pakistan should learn from foreign leaders who are taking action against corrupt officials. “It is not the prime minister’s job to give us details on how wealthy he has been all his life, but to tell us why his family is being named in the Panama papers,” he said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf participated in the walkout over Prime Minister’s absence.

He said that he wanted to comment on premier’s statement over his alleged palace in Bani Gala. While talking about his residence and accountability, Khan said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is after Sharif family and not him.

Rs 60,000 of taxpayers’ money are spent on each minute of a Parliament s session, he said.

Khan said that opposition did not leak Mossack Fonseca’s documents but a third party did. He was declared an infidel during an election campaign in 1997, he added.

He said that Prime Minister’s sons, living abroad, should have registered themselves as citizens there as well. PTI chief cited examples of foreign leaders who resigned over corruption accusations during his speech.

Imran went on to clarify his financials saying he had bought a flat in London in 1983 with money he had earned through county cricket.

“Even the prime minister knew about my flat. The premier asked me what a penthouse is. I had told him that it was the house on the top floor of the apartment building,” he quipped.

Quoting IMF head Christine Lagarde, the PTI chief said it is because of corruption that there is no investment in Pakistan. “There is a flight of capital when there’s corruption, money goes to offshore companies,” he said.

“Pakistan is the lowest on Human Development Index, yet instead of spending money on people, the government is spending it on mega projects,” he added.

Concluding his address, Imran warned if their questions are not answered, his party will take it to the streets.