Pak EC sends notice to Nawaz Sharif on Panama leak

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday issued notices to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other leaders of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) named by four political parties regarding the Panama leaks issue.

PM Sharif and the other party leaders will have to submit their response over the allegations on September 6. References filed by opposition parties regarding the disqualification of PM Nawaz and the members of his family after them being named in the Panama Papers was heard earlier in the day.

The ECP issued notices to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Hamza Shehbaz and Mohamed Safdar in this regard.

Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) lawyer Latif Khosa said Mr Sharif spread disinformation regarding the offshore companies, further stating that the PM was the actual owner of the companies.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s lawyer Anees Hashmi argued that Mr Nawaz and his family was involved in tax evasion and money laundering whereas Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed threatened to hit the streets over the persisting issue. PML-N leaders said the allegations levelled by the Opposition were a routine matter, further adding that PTI chief Imran Khan should stop dreaming about attaining premiership.

The ECP also issued notices to PTI Senator Liaqat Tarakai and provincial minister Shahram Tarakai over not mentioning offshore company ownership in their declared assets.