PAT, PTI make first contact after Panama papers

Jahangir Tareen and Chaudhry Sarwar, senior leaders of PTI, visited the central secretariat of PAT here on April 13, 2016 and held a meeting with PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur. The leaders of both parties discussed in detail the political situation prevailing in the country in the backdrop of the Panama leaks and the future strategy in this regard. The PTI leaders talked about the matter of the Prime Minister’s resignation and getting the national wealth back into the kitty with the PAT leadership.

Talking to media after the meeting with the PAT leaders, Jahangir Tareen said that no commission is needed anymore. He said that proofs that have come to the surface from the Panama papers are sufficient for action. He said that the Sharif brothers should shed this illusion that the people will be able to forget about the papers after a few days. He said that the Sharif brothers, who are involved in this international financial scandal of corruption, cannot get away with it.

The PTI leader said that Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri waged an exemplary struggle against corruption and oppressive system before, adding that the both parties should act together in the larger national interest for the future as well. He said that together we would hold all those accountable who perpetrated Model Town tragedy.

Speaking to media, PAT Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that consultation continues to take place between PAT and PTI on various national issues on regular basis and the leaderships of both parties visit each other. He said that the both parties have similarity of views with regard to the Panama leaks. We are of the view that the PM has no justification to stay on in power after the papers have told the whole story of corruption and money laundering. He said that he has not been ‘Sadiq and Ameen’ as per the requirement of the Constitution. He said that the Sharif brothers submitted wrong asset statement with the Election Commission in 2008 and 2013, adding that now the ECP will also have to play its role. He said that the PM has no answer on the Panama leaks and that he would have to resign now.

Ch. Muhammad Sarwar of the PTI said that the people are dying of destitution and hunger. The poor do not have access to education, health and clean drinking water whereas the rulers have the gall of looting national wealth and building up palaces in the foreign lands. He said that the PM of Pakistan will have to follow in the footprints of the Prime Ministers of Ukraine, Iceland and Kirgizstan. He further said that all segments of society including lawyers, civil society, farmers, workers and the common people will have to come out on the roads and put pressure for resignation of the PM.

The PAT delegation consisted of GM Malik, Sajid Bhatti, Noorulla Siddiqui and Raja Zahid.