'PM Nawaz must step down before formation of Panama JIT'

BADIN: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must resign before the formation of Joint Investigation Team, which has been tasked to implement the apex court's verdict in the Panama Papers case.

He asked the prime minister to step down reminding him that the Supreme Court judges have also asked him to vacate office.

Addressing a rally here, the former president said he is aware the prime minister is awaiting Senate elections scheduled for March claiming that he will clinch seats in the Senate and the National Assembly.

He hit out at the prime minister saying that Nawaz Sharif does not understand the notion behind why the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was introduced.

“The project was for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, to address the insecurities experienced by the people,” said Zardari.

He claimed that Nawaz Sharif does not understand rural economy when 70% of Pakistan is based on it.

“All he cares about is his relatives,” the PPP co-chairman added.

Thanking Punjab and KP for giving a wonderful reception to him, Zardari said his next stop will be in Balochistan.

“The hearts of the people of Balochistan have been broken; they are calling me,” he said.

Zardari is on a one-day visit to Badin and addressed the rally on the invitation of senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and former president of Sindh chapter Ismail Rahu, who tendered his resignation as member of the Sindh Assembly citing personal reasons, on Tuesday.

Rahu is expected to announce that he is joining PPP today.