38% of Pakistanis believe PM Sharif used health scare to divert attention from Panama scandal

According to Gallup, a nationally representative sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked, “Some people claim that the Prime Minister’s operation is just an excuse to divert attention from the Panama Leaks scandal. Others believe he is genuinely suffering from ill-health.

“What is your opinion on this?” In response to this question, 59% said it was a genuine health issue, while 38% said that it was an excuse to divert attention from the Panama Leaks scandal. 3% did not know, or did not wish to respond.

The recent survey was carried out among a sample of 1252 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country, during June 6 – June 13, 2016.

The leak, comprising 11.5 million documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, shows how some of the world’s most powerful people have secreted their money offshore.

Among those named are three of Sharif’s four children — Maryam, who has been tipped to be his political successor; Hasan and Hussain, with the records showing they owned London real estate through offshore companies administered by the firm.

The Panama Papers had whipped up a storm of controversy over offshore wealth, ensnaring political leaders, sports figures and underworld members across the globe in the scandal.