PML-N declares Panama verdict a historic victory

• Ruling party vows to provide all support to JIT to take probe to its logical end

The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leadership dubbed the long-awaited verdict in the Panama Papers case a historic victory for the ruling party and the democracy and vowed that they would provide all kinds of support to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to take the issue to its logical end.

Soon after the historical announcement by the five-member Supreme Court bench of constituting a joint investigation team to further investigate the matter, prime minister’s daughter Maryam Nawaz tweeted a photo of her father, her family members and the ruling party leaders celebrating the verdict with smiles and embraces.

Maryam also shared another picture of Nawaz Sharif hugging his younger brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while in another group photo showed Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair, Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Senator Pervez Rasheed and Adviser Irfan Siddiqui standing alongside them.

The leaders lauded the Supreme Court judgment, saying it was victory of the party, people and the constitution that thwarted the opposition’s designs to sabotage public mandate. Speaking outside the Supreme Court premises, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the opponents had provided insufficient evidence to the court.

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been proved as truthful and honest. He said that the court decision would be followed in letter and spirit and advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to fulfill his responsibilities by serving the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had voted for his party.

He said that the journey of progress and prosperity would continue and the PML-N would again form the government in 2018. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that attempt to disqualify an elected prime minister faced failure as the opponents tried to sabotage the public mandate by unconstitutional means.

He said that the elements who brought fake evidence must be feeling embarrassed. Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique also termed it a landmark verdict, saying it would be fully implemented. Under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the journey to development and prosperity would continue, he said.

He said that the PML-N would again emerge victorious in 2018 and come to power through ballot box. “Our party will form governments in all the four provinces on the basis of its performance,” he added. Answering a question, he said that the court order for forming a joint investigation team was a victory for the PML-N as the opposition had failed to provide any evidence to prove their allegations.

The minister said that Imran Khan, Pakistan Awami League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Jamaat-i-Islami leader Sirajul Haq had failed to achieve their motives, as the verdict was not announced as per their wishes. Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rehman said that Imran Khan wanted to come to power through backdoor channel as he had failed to muster support of the people.

She said the decision had exposed the real face of Imran Khan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with his family voluntarily presented before the court for accountability where he remained triumphant, she said. Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said that the verdict was vindication and victory of the PML-N stance.

He pointed out that PTI had made Panama Papers a political issue and expressed the hope that it would play positive politics in future. To a question, he said that the PML-N government was serving utmost interests of the masses and country, besides ensuring good governance and transparency.

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated his elder brother Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, saying another conspiracy of opponents had failed just like sit-ins and picketing plan went in vain, and those who were against Pakistan’s development and prosperity of its people had faced disappointment.

He said that the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would not only honour all its promises made to the people but also win 2018 elections with their support and complete development agenda.