ISLAMABAD: Expressing amazement over Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s claim that he was not aware of the charges against him in the Panama Papers case, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan said on Wednesday that the PM had “done nothing but corruption”.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Khan said: “Nawaz Sharif has done nothing but corruption in the name of business ... He made offshore companies, appointed his front men, received kickbacks and commissions on mega projects and committed money laundering ... Then he asks what his fault is.”

The PTI chief pointed out that the Supreme Court had given the prime minister five chances to prove his innocence, alleging that Mr Sharif kept telling lies over the last year-and-a-half.

PTI chief scoffs at Sharif’s ignorance of allegations against him

“He still has the opportunity to resign,” he added.

Mr Khan said because of how the Panama Papers case had gone down, PM Sharif and his government were trying to save their own skin leaving the entire government machinery paralysed.

“Today the prime minister, in his address at Sialkot, did not talk about the death of Pakistani troops at the hands of Indians at the Line of Control because he is not concerned with what is going on in the country,” he added.

The prime minister’s only business was to launch mega projects and receive huge kickbacks in return, he said, adding that the commission was then sent abroad.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had trained Mr Sharif to launder money, he said, adding that: “The only progress taking place is in the assets of the Sharif family.”

Demands for next elections

The PTI chief announced that his party would not accept the next general elections if they were held under the incumbent Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He placed four demands to ensure fair and transparent polls next year.

“Elections should be held under a new ECP, a biometric identification system must be introduced, overseas Pakistanis must have the right of vote, and the caretaker government should be formed in consultation with all political parties,” he said.

Overseas Pakistanis were an asset to the country as they sent billions of dollars to the country, he said, adding that it was unfair if more than 6.7 million overseas Pakistanis were deprived of their right to vote.

Talking about the ECP, Mr Khan said his party would not accept the 2018 general elections if they were conducted under the present set-up. “An election commission which is acceptable to all should be formed.”

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2017