Calls echo for PM's resignation in light of JIT report

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah has said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must resign for the sake of democracy in light of charges levelled in the Panama case Joint Investigation Team's (JIT) report.

He made these remarks while chairing the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly on Tuesday. 

A peaceful democratic transition of power occurred smoothly for the first time in the country’s history, said Shah.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said the premier has to resign as the Parliament is in danger, adding that he is concerned over the way the government is reacting to the issue. 

Earlier, Shah held a meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his chambers.

The meeting was also attended by PTI’s Shafqat Mahmood, Shireen Mazari and Rubina Khalid of the PPP.

Sources said the two biggest opposition parties discussed the situation arising out of the JIT report's submission in the Supreme Court on Monday.

The opposition parties will soon request for a Joint Session of Parliament to discuss the JIT’s report and the matter of the prime minister’s resignation, sources added.

Moreover, both PTI and PPP are expected to hold internal meetings over the issue later in the day. 

Addressing the media after the meeting, Qureshi said the purpose of calling the joint session is to remind the premier of the promise he made on the assembly’s floor.

He explained that the prime minister had vowed to step down if he is held guilty of corruption.

The PTI leader expressed satisfaction with the JIT report, saying they are on the same page with PPP and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan.

Put Sharif family on ECL: Babar Awan 

PTI's Babar Awan has demanded that the names of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children be put on the Exit Control List (ECL).

“On behalf of PTI, I demand that the Interior Ministry put the names of the Sharif family on the ECL. Ayyan Ali’s name was put on ECL for money laundering. This is [no different],” Awan said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

Taking aim at Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Awan called for his immediate resignation.

“Ishaq Dar has committed two crimes: first, he did not file tax returns for his assets; second, he has committed [millions] of rupees’ worth of money laundering. We demand that he resign immediately and a case be registered against him,” the PTI's top legal counsel remarked.

Awan further noted that the prime minister had been found to be the head of an offshore company but he had chosen to hide this fact from the public, he said.

“The prime minister lied to the public in his speech on TV and the National Assembly. Maryam Nawaz’s statements proved to be lies too,” Awan continued.

Referring to alleged tampering of official records by SECP Chairman Zafar Hijazi, Awan said, “The one who tampered got caught, now it’s time to know who made him do the tampering.”

‘Nawaz should step down for sake of democracy’

Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rasheed renewed calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“For the sake of this country, I ask Nawaz Sharif to step down. He has lost all moral, political and legal authority to rule. [This situation] has resulted in a political funeral for him and his family,” the AML leader remarked.

Rasheed called on the Prime Minister to surrender to the law or risk facing imprisonment.

“If Nawaz Sharif does not bow down to the law, he should get ready to go to prison. His entire family has been dragged through the mud due to his stubbornness to stick to power. He has even destroyed his daughter’s political future,” Rasheed said.

PM should resign on legal grounds, says Bilawal

Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also demanded resignation from the premier, saying Nawaz Sharif will have to resign on legal grounds.

“Yesterday, we had asked for Nawaz Sharif’s resignation on moral grounds, but today, after studying the JIT report, we are asking for his resignation on legal grounds,” Bilawal said.

The PPP co-chairman said that the prime minister has lost all political, moral and legal authority to continue holding his office.  

As per JIT report, PM no longer honest and trustworthy: Siraj

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Siraj-ul Haq said that the PM is no longer Sadiq and Ameen (Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution) and should resign resign on moral grounds.

He said that the JIT report has come against the premier and there exists disparity between the rulers’ assets and means of income.

Now the SC should immediately announce its decision.

The JI Emir said that accountability and democracy would continue side by side, adding that democracy doesn’t mean that theft continues unchecked. 

PML-N not responding responsibly to the situation: Sattar

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan chief Farooq Sattar said Nawaz Sharif has lost all moral authority to remain prime minister, adding that the premier’s office is not responding properly to the situation.

PM has the right to defend himself: PSP 

Pak Sarzameen Party chief Mustafa Kamal called for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign before defending his position regarding the findings of Panama case Joint Investigation Team.

While talking to the media in the city on Tuesday, Kamal said the prime minister and his team had the right to defend themselves. But for the sake of the system and the public he should do so after stepping down from his position, the PSP chief added.

“Therefore, we humbly request the prime minister to show some grace and resign,” Kamal added.

He also spoke about the by-elections in PS-114 constituency in the city.

Moreover, the Lahore High Court Bar Association has said they will hold countrywide protests from Thursday if the prime minister refuses to resign. 

The JIT, in its final probe report into the Sharif family’s assets, held that the prime minister and his three children — Maryam, Hussain and Hasan — have accumulated wealth beyond their own known sources of income.

The next hearing of the case is on July 17.

Even though the government has rejected the report, and vowed to challenge it ‘point by point’ in the Supreme Court next week, both PTI and PPP have called on the prime minister to step down from his post.

However, senior government officials stated unequivocally Monday evening that the topic of resignation has not even come up in their discussion. 

With additional input from Rana Javaid in Karachi