ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) has demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in order to allow the joint investigation team (JIT) to conduct a free, impartial and transparent probe in Panamagate.

Bar association office bearers said the prime minister should step down in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panama Papers case, as his resignation is important for the JIT’s investigation. IHCBA said if found innocent by the investigation, Mr Sharif may resume office as prime minister.

Association president Mohammad Arif Chaudhry said as the chief executive, all state institutions are under Mr Sharif’s authority.

He said the prime minister approves and rejects the promotions of civil servants and although the people of Pakistan trust the credibility of the country’s intelligence agencies, as long as the prime minister remains in office it could affect the investigation.

The JIT was formed because other state institutions failed to perform their duties, Mr Chaudhry said, adding that if Mr Sharif does not resign there will be an all-Pakistan lawyers convention on May 12.

He warned that if Mr Sharif does not tender his resignation, lawyers from various bar associations would devise a strategy to force him to do so.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2017