Notification for commission on Panama Leaks to be issued today, Ishaq Dar tells Khursheed Shah

Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the unwarranted hue and cry over Panama Leaks is adversely impacting the economy.

The federal minister claimed that various delegations of foreign investors cancelled their visits to Pakistan owing to the ongoing tumult sparked over Panama Leaks, asserting Dharna Drama (sit-in farce) is being re-enacted.

Finance Minister Dar also pointed out that children of Nawaz Sharif would present everything on board if the commission summons the Sharif family.

Meanwhile, he said that the notification for the judicial commission or body that will probe into the Panama Leaks case is almost ready, reported a private TV channel

adding that the government only has to add the name of the retired or in-service Judge to the draft. He stated that announcement for the commission will be made in one or two days.

Also, Ishaq Dar telephoned Opposition leader in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Friday and informed about government decision to form judicial commission over Panama leaks.

The minister said, “the government has decided to form a judicial commission over Panama leaks allegations on the demand of the opposition.”

The government will write a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for constituting the commission.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a consultative meeting at the PM House with members of the federal cabinet, advisers and special assistants.

Sources said PM Nawaz has made up his mind to approach the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) for the constitution of a commission to probe the Panama Papers.

The huddle vested the final authority with the prime minister to deal with the situation. Accordingly, he opted for approaching the Supreme Court.

Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar put up a report on his contacts with various groups of the opposition and threw light on their position.

He said the PPP and Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah were pressing the government for the establishment of a parliamentary committee while the PTI was pleading for a commission under the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Nawaz didn’t discard any proposal and asked Senator Dar to conclude his contacts at the earliest. The participants of the meeting that continued more than two hours suggested different options to deal with the situation.

The formal announcement is expected today.