PPP mulls departure from parliamentary committee, advises opposition to follow suit

Published
19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Senator Aitzaz Ahsan on Thursday said his party, in an intra-party meeting, has decided to leave the parliamentary committee formed to probe Panama leaks and advised all the opposition parties to do the same.

Speaking to media after a meeting of senior party leaders in Zardari House Islamabad, Aitzaz said the opposition provided prime minister an opportunity to clear his name, but the government members kept insisting on removal of his name from the terms of reference (ToR).

When asked if forming the parliamentary committee was a mistake, he said that it cannot be termed as such as it showed the true face of rulers.

Related: ‘PM-first’ ToR main irritant for Panama committee

"Nawaz Sharif proudly said in the parliament, his Bannu and Haripur rallies that he has presented himself and his family for accountability, but now he has been exposed," said Aitzaz.

Aitzaz stated he wants to bring all opposition parties on "one container",

PPP spokesperson senator Farhatullah Babar told DawnNews that the party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto, warned the ruling PML-N that its bid to protect an individual from accountability will have serious repercussions.

Lawyer Latif Khosa told media that he, on his party's behalf, will file ineligibility petition in ECP against five members of Sharif family as the declarations they filed in the commission were not based on truth.

Giving out names he said the petitions will be filed against Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif , Hamza Shehbaz, Captain Safdar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

On May 18, the federal government and the opposition agreed to form a 12 member committee in order to draft joint terms of reference (ToR) for an inquiry commission to probe Panama papers.

The committee was made to consider options for inquiring into issues raised by the Panama Papers including offshore companies, transfer from Pakistan of funds originating from corruption, commission or kickbacks, and written-off bank loans.

It was to submit a report to Parliament within two weeks.

Opinion

Editorial

Restructuring plans
Updated 10 Nov, 2026

Restructuring plans

It would be a much wiser move, politically speaking, to take up any debate on administrative restructuring again after the next general election.
Extreme heat
Updated 10 Nov, 2026

Extreme heat

Climate adaptation is yet to find a place in our agricultural policies.
Israel power struggle
10 Nov, 2026

Israel power struggle

A POWER struggle is emerging after last month’s elections in Israel resulted in no party securing the requisite...
Antalya agenda
Updated 09 Nov, 2026

Antalya agenda

For Pakistan, the priority should be to secure easier access to climate funds, more grants rather than debt-creating loans, and clear deadlines for financial contributions.
Beyond viewership
09 Nov, 2026

Beyond viewership

PAKISTAN has an enormous appetite for online content. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, it...
Rabid Modi
Updated 09 Nov, 2026

Rabid Modi

Modi’s silence throughout his reign of fear shows his endorsement of hate.