Opposition parties await 'fair judgment' in Panamagate case

ISLAMABAD: Moments before the hearing session on Panamagate case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the leaders of various opposition parties have expressed their confidence in the top court for giving a fair judgment in the wake of the probing team’s startling revelations in its report. 

One of the petitioners in the case against Sharif family, Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed said that the entire nation eyes the top court for its crucial decision in the case, adding that if any unfavourable judgment comes out, he would submit another petition to seek disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Another petitioner in the case, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) emir Sirajul Haq said that the entire nation wishes to see a corruption-free country while dispelling the ruling party’s reservations and accusations of hidden agenda behind the Panama probe. “Nawaz Sharif has to go now, there is no other way,” he insisted, adding that the JI does not want to see one violating Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution to be in power.

READ ALSO: Supreme Court hears new phase of Panamagate case

Subsequently, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi also addressed the media and said that his party stands by the other opposition parties in demand of the premier’s resignation. He accused the ruling party of using delaying tactics in the case by levelling unwarranted allegations on the probing team.

Joining in the conversation, Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain commented that: “The apex court is doing what should have been done by the parliament.”

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-P (MQM-P) Chief Farooq Sattar opined that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has no moral high ground to hold his office in the wake of Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT)’s revelations in its report.

STARTLING REVELATIONS IN JIT REPORT

The JIT has charged the ruling family with perjury, having disproportionate income and living beyond their means. It said Sharif failed to satisfactorily answer most of the questions put to him during his appearance before investigators on June 15.

Following the report, the opposition parties demanded the premier to tender resignation. However, the ruling party leaders remarked that they will contest the ‘concocted’ report in the Supreme Court.