ECP Panama leaks hearing: Nawaz seeks disqualification of petitions

E-Paper | May 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday filed an application with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), seeking disqualification of petitions submitted against him by opposition parties in light of the Panama Papers leak.

Nawaz termed allegations levelled by four opposition parties against him as “baseless”, saying he has no association with any offshore company mentioned in Panama Papers.

The ECP, during its last hearing, sought the premier’s reply on petitions filed by the Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Awami Tehreek and Awami Muslim League.

Former Attorney General Salman Butt appeared before the five-member commission and submitted reply on behalf of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Butt also submitted replies on behalf of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Hamza Shahbaz and Captain Safdar.

The documents submitted before the commission argued that no tangible evidence was produced by the petitioners against the prime minister and challenged the ECP’s jurisdiction, stating the commission was not authorised to disqualify a member of the parliament.

The PM's counsel urged the ECP to first take up application challenging jurisdiction of the commission.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Sardar Raza remarked that the commission would decide the issue of its jurisdiction first, adjourning further hearings till November 2.

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Awais

Oct 10, 2016 07:42pm

New Election Commission of Pakistan is on the way I guest!

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Harmony-1©

Oct 10, 2016 07:43pm

We know there is no Panama company in your name. You said it yourself in your own speech “those who do corruption and tax evasion do not hold any assets in their names”!!!

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Nasir

Oct 10, 2016 07:47pm

Admit it or not Nawaz Sharif will win the general elections in 2018 as well because this is Pakistan.

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zulfiqar

Oct 10, 2016 07:48pm

Then how do you explain the offshore companies exposed in Panama leaks? Where did your children get all this money from.

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Muhammed Ali UK

Oct 10, 2016 08:13pm

He is right, his name is not mentioned, but the simple thing that needs explaing is how he came about all this wealth that enabled his children to invest hundreds of millions of dollars abroad when they were still in education, how was it sent abroad, what taxes were paid on this money, did he declare all his and his children assets before the 2013 election??? Is that so hard Mr Sharif to understand or explain..

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Arslan

Oct 10, 2016 08:14pm

Keep adjourning every case.

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Truth

Oct 10, 2016 08:18pm

@Nasir - Because people like you will keep voting for him.

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Arslan

Oct 10, 2016 08:16pm

@Nasir This system will not exist until 2018. And Nawaz and co (Zardari etc) will not be in power. A new constitution will be in place.

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Yasser

Oct 10, 2016 08:19pm

He is OK for the time being but Panama Papers will come back to bite him at some point in his life.

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Iceman

Oct 10, 2016 08:22pm

An honest person should have NO fear of any investigation.

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Vorshal

Oct 10, 2016 08:24pm

Once an off-shore vehicle is established, it becomes an easy conduit for depositing money (including cut-backs, corruption, undeclared income, benami transactions, hawala money, family money). It is important to verify the periodic growth of deposits in these vehicles. Depending upon what it is the accepted definition of “integrity” and “ethics” in Pakistan, a family member may or may not be covered in such periodic declarations by people who hold an office of trust in Pakistan. But to simply dismiss it as requested may be against public interest and just perpetuating such practices!

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zafar

Oct 10, 2016 08:30pm

"These are the resources which were used to buy these properties in London, in 2005". NS on the floor of the National Assembly. He has admitted to owning these properties, and lied on the floor when they were bought. Substantial evidence exists of when they were originally bought. Hudaiba Paper Mill case in a London court is a case in point, when these properties were attached to the loan default case back in 1998 and NS and company came up with nearly $30 Million to regain control of these properties.

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Gaz

Oct 10, 2016 08:29pm

@Nasir he won't win if the election is fair. If you look at recent by elections in Punjab PTI has increased vote by something like 40% while PML-N increasing by 2%. If this trend continues then PTI will win easily. Don't forget PPP was also boasting in 2013 that they will win due to their amazing performance.

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aamir ayub

Oct 10, 2016 08:37pm

Nawaz Sharif is true leader of Pakistan and for that reasons he is facing hurdles after hurdles. But God will help him to come out of all crisis

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Optimist

Oct 10, 2016 08:38pm

If he has nothing to hide, why does not he disclose the money trail for Panama companies?

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Khan Baba

Oct 10, 2016 08:40pm

If NS is disqualified and punished, it would be best thing ever for Pakistan going forward. All other bad eggs could also get flushed out.

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Rafay Azhar

Oct 10, 2016 08:54pm

We are an unfortunate Nation. Alas, we reap what we sow. We have to pay for our own follies. That's why we have people like Nawaz Sharif to govern us.

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CB Bhutto

Oct 10, 2016 08:59pm

If he gets away with this, there is no justice

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Shaheen Changezi

Oct 10, 2016 09:02pm

When 2nd caliph Hazrat Umar (peace be upon him) was asked about his new robe (or shirt) he explained from where he got the cloth instead of any pretension or demand for the proof. Can Mr. Sharif prove he or his children got London property without indulging in money laundering. The solution is very simple to close this chapter and shut the mouths of opponents, "present proof of legal money transactions out of Pakistan" that's all. And if he could, I promise, I'll always vote for him.

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S Shah

Oct 10, 2016 09:03pm

Properties in London owned by his children are tangible information. Where did they get the money when they bought these properties. Their father gave them the money. Because it is the father which buys properties for his children. Nawaz Sharif has to explain to the nation about the source of LEGAL money.

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Mohammed

Oct 10, 2016 09:06pm

Ns was totally exposed at the ECP today and the best he come up with is that they can't hear the case. Ns resign!

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khalid

Oct 10, 2016 09:07pm

Donot reply Nawaz Sharif till 2018 elections......

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Merchant

Oct 10, 2016 09:13pm

"saying he has no association with any offshore company mentioned in Panama Papers". This is what Nawaz Sharif is saying. However, the evidence against him is solid and incontrovertible.

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Prateik

Oct 10, 2016 09:16pm

Nawaz Sharif is in top five richest Pakistani list.

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Adil Jadoon

Oct 10, 2016 09:22pm

@Nasir And Pakistanis will get what they vote for :)

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Tahir Chaudhry

Oct 10, 2016 09:23pm

It is beyond comprehension what the respected PM is saying. For how long you are going to deny the facts. I wish you had seen IK presentation at Raiwind Jalsa. The masses understood how you are involved and the contradiction among you very family members goes to prove that you along with your family are not innocent.

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Houlbelat

Oct 10, 2016 09:31pm

Let us decide about one thing most important now. Is it legal for Nawaz Sharif to be Prime Minister for the 4th time according to the new amendment in Constitution?

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S. A. M.

Oct 10, 2016 10:19pm

Okay that you do not have anything to do with these offshore ventures in your name. but being father of the owners of these offshore companies don't you think it is incumbent upon you to investigate as to how your children could amass such colossal amount to run such big businesses. I trust being a very caring prime minister you would keep the prime the well being of all the people of Pakistan over those of your kids

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kashmiri shopian

Oct 10, 2016 10:20pm

Please do not distract Nawaz Sharief , he is now working on our issue, let him focus on that.

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Raheel Janjua

Oct 10, 2016 10:25pm

Lies after lies to hide the massive corruption. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has no legitimacy to be a PM anymore.

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Suresh Patel

Oct 10, 2016 10:26pm

He cannot command any respect like Modi because of his shady business. He is worth more than billion dollar

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Hassan (Karachi)

Oct 10, 2016 10:32pm

@zulfiqar They were 12 years old when those companies were made in his children's name. How did 12 year old children get millions of dollars.

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Raghu

Oct 10, 2016 11:04pm

@Nasir NS will win in 2018 based on his teams performance. Pakistan is fast progressing on all fronts under PMLn, a fact acknowledged by global lenders and independent organizations

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Ali Mosa

Oct 10, 2016 11:19pm

Panama leaks will become history and no one confiscate like all other corruptions in Pakistan. These are our myths and politician's collusions :(

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adil

Oct 10, 2016 11:39pm

Be brave and accept it NS. People will at least remember you for such honesty after your departure.

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fawad

Oct 10, 2016 11:55pm

Next date by ECP is November 2, then next data after that will be December 18, then next date will be February 20, 2017 and so on until just two months away from Election 2018. Thanks God Imran Khan comes to the rescue here.

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MNC

Oct 11, 2016 12:28am

@zulfiqar A few believe that Panama papers only brought politicians into fire who were against super power future plans. Mr. Putin who resurrected Russia, Eurodgon who taken Turky on the path of religious reconnaissance, David Cameroon who was against Brexit and pro EU and last not least Mr. Sharif from Pakistan who is building CEPC to connect China to world through Persian gulf and setting future of Pakistan. Pakistan in oxygen tent always dreams of our friends, this CEPC will give our country full life. When we able to read in between the lines?

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John Doe

Oct 11, 2016 12:28am

@NASIR Your are right our foolish and illiterate people will surely elect him again. No doubt!!!

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Shafique USA

Oct 11, 2016 12:42am

this is clear example of how VIPs take advantage of flawed system. Buy more time. Funny that hearing adjourned till Nov. 2nd. for a case that is overdue for over 6 months. see you 3 weeks later and the case goes on and on :) Justice delayed is Justice denied.

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Ch. K. A. Nye

Oct 11, 2016 12:43am

Repeat lies enough times and eventually some will start to believe. That is the philosophy of the overwhelming majority of our politicians.

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Parvez

Oct 11, 2016 01:14am

If the ECP had shouldered its responsibilities at election time....95 % of those standing for elections should have been thrown out.

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marcus

Oct 11, 2016 03:30am

Same old sad story same old result same old face and same old fate - Pakistan is and will head towards bankruptcy the Sharif's have a looting get out jail free card. The very least the commission can do is to find out how much earning each sharif declared for taxation purposes....how much each child declared for taxation purposes?

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Ahmed

Oct 11, 2016 06:16am

@Gaz PTI vote bank increased through the induction of electables - in one constituency you can accomodate only one so no more vote increase for PTI is possible from this point on

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Ahmed

Oct 11, 2016 06:18am

@Mohammed IK also challenged ECP jurisdiction with respect to his own disqualification

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Hashim

Oct 11, 2016 06:50am

Reading the comments below, I have come to realize that people are missing the real point here. Its not just the corruption and how the wealth has been accumulated, the point of the petitions to disqualify the PM is that when filing papers with the ECP, all candidates have to declare their wealth and assets, and also of their spouses and children. Nawaz Sharif did not do that. He made no mention of the off-shore companies that his children have abroad and the properties that he owns in England. Not declaring his assets is one of the reason for him to be disqualified. And it also brings into question his integrity and his compliance to Articles 62 and 63. The questions regarding corruption are the second bit and come after his disqualification.

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Masoud

Oct 11, 2016 07:27am

A gentleman & an honest PM's approach should have been different to this allegation although it is not just allegation anymore. PM should have himself ordered a high powered inquiry to investigate Panama Leak but who would willingly put himself in line. Whatever the outcome of PL,peoples of Pakistan have already formed their opinion about extreme corruption & tax evasion by the elite class.

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