LAHORE: The PPP has asked the PML-N to nominate new candidate for the slot of prime minister in connection with the references filed against him for concealing his wealth.

“The PPP is filing a reference in the Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday (today) to seek disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and four of his relatives under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution after revelations of Panama Papers. The PPP is hopeful that PM Sharif will have to go home in the wake of its reference. Therefore, it is better for the PML-N to give Mr Sharif’s replacement to save democratic system,” PPP leader Faisal Mir said here on Sunday.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has already asked Nawaz Sharif to step down after his children’s names surfaced in the off-shore holdings in Panama papers.

“The PPP is standing by its chairman and demands Mr Sharif to step down and prove his innocence in the matter,” Faisal Mir said.

Mr Bilawal has approved the final draft of the reference to be filed in the ECP on Monday which will seek disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, retired Capt Safdar and Hamza Shahbaz for concealing their assets in a declaration (submitted) to the ECP

The PTI has already filed a reference against the premier for ‘concealing his assets’. The 72-page reference filed by PTI’s Yasmin Rashid alleged that PM Sharif had not mentioned the off-shore companies revealed in the Panama papers in his statements of assets submitted to the ECP.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2016