Imran says PM Nawaz should resign until JIT completes probe

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Thursday called for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down until an investigation team ordered by the Supreme Court completes its probe.

"On behalf of the Pakistan people I tell Nawaz Sharif to resign immediately until JIT completes its probe,” Imran Khan told reporters in Islamabad following the Supreme Court verdict in the Panama Leaks case.

He said the decision to make the JIT meant that the explanation regarding the source of the money trail had been dismissed, adding that Sharif did not have any moral authority left to continue as prime minister of the country.

Given the indictment of Nawaz Sharif in the SC judgement, with all 5 judges rejecting his story & 2 judges declaring he stood disqualified

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 20, 2017

"How can he [Nawaz] remain the PM, what authority does he have? There will be a criminal investigation against him and his family,” Imran ephasised. "What respect will he have when a government officer calls the prime minister for a criminal inquiry."

I am still puzzling over what PMLN is celebrating? They shd be asking NS to resign. But this reflects complete moral collapse of our elite https://t.co/Qg0rAEqXSk

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 20, 2017

The PTI chairman said two judges who were likely to become chief justices in the future had ruled that Nawaz should be disqualified, a 3-2 split verdict announce by the apex court today.

A great SC judgement which has completely rejected Nawaz Sharif's entire story.PM shd resign immediately as he has lost all moral authority.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 20, 2017

Panama leaks: PM not disqualified, SC orders JIT to probe money trail

Terming the apex court verdict "a historic judgment in Pakistan's history", he said that all five members of the bench had has rejected PM Sharif's explanation into his source of income and money trail that led to his children's offshore holdings.

"I demand Nawaz Sharif to resign today. Sharif should resign because he will not allow an impartial investigation," he said.

"If Sharif is cleared in 60 days after the joint investigation team's report, he can continue to serve as the prime minister, but at the moment he has no ethical right to serve on this position," said the chairman of the PTI, which has been a major stakeholder in the Panama Leaks case.

Want to congratulate the nation on this SC judgement, esp PTI workers who stood steadfast with me throughout. Celebrate your success today.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 20, 2017

Imran said that only two of the institutions whose members will be part of the JIT fall under the Chief of Army Staff, while the rest come under the prime minister. "Hence, he must resign immediately in order for an impartial investigation to be conducted," said the PTI chairman.

PML-N leaders declare Supreme Court verdict a victory for prime minister

Imran paid homage to "PTI workers and masses who were part of the protests in extreme weather conditions".

"If the masses had not protested and demanded accountability of corrupt leaders, this day would not have arrived," he said.

"All my party workers should feel happy that this historic decision was announced."