Sharif suggests forming JIC for Panama leaks

Islamabad, May 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday suggested forming a joint committee to draft the terms of reference for establishing the judicial commission to probe Panama Papers leaks.

"Panama papers documents named a number of Pakistanis involved in forming offshore companies. My two sons, who live abroad and do legal business, were also named," Dawn online quoted Sharif as saying.

"Some of my party members advised me not to explain my position, since I am not directly named," Sharif said. "They advised me to form an impartial commission to investigate the issue."

"I believe in the judiciary but some people demanded an FIA probe," he said.

Sharif said the government nominated FIA officials trusted by the opposition, but even this proposal was rejected.

"Then they wanted a commission led by the supreme judiciary, we agreed to that. But then they made the issue of ToRs (terms of reference) controversial."

"This is inexplicable that a man who is nowhere named in the leaks should explain himself," he explained.

The opposition members walked out of the assembly after Sharif's address saying it was "of no use".

Earlier this month, the government rejected opposition's draft of the terms of reference for an inquiry commission on the leaks.

Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and major opposition parties criticised Sharif and his family for owning and benefiting from offshore companies after their names appeared in the Panama papers leaks.