Pakistan Panama Papers: Imran Khan Demands PM Nawaz Sharif’s Resignation In Live Television Address
Imran Khan is once again reinforcing his place in Pakistan’s liberal opposition by demanding that Nawaz Sharif resign from his slot as prime minister over his links to the Panama Papers, reported ARY News.
Imran appeared on Pakistani television on Sunday to encourage the people to demand that Nawaz step down due to the Panama Paper’s revelations. Citing tax evasion, money laundering, and corruption, Khan declared that Sharif had unjustly used his political influence in order to enrich himself and his inner circle.
“Those with offshore accounts in the country have been exposed. There is no need for further investigations as there [is already] evidence against the PM.”
Reflecting much of the world’s political opposition in the aftermath of the Panama Papers, Imran described the leak as an act of God. As Nawaz and his team had nothing to do with the evidence coming to light, Khan believes they deserve no sympathy when it comes to prosecution for the crimes revealed in the documents; nor does he believe the ruling party can justly carry out an investigation while they are in power as Sharif has promised.
“God is the umpire and his finger has gone up. No Pakistani had revealed the offshore accounts. It is by nature itself. Today is a decisive moment for the country. He said the country is heading towards destruction and everyone has to struggle. The Panama Leaks have given us a chance to improve the situation.”
While Imran does enjoy a generally favorable reputation among Pakistanis, not everyone is on board with his calls for Nawaz’s resignation. An editorial in Pakistani paper Nation criticized Khan’s Panama Papers speech as the political theater typical of the politician.
“The demand for a transparent inquiry into the Panama Leaks is completely justified. But Imran Khan’s usual threat of a sit-in, this time in Raiwind, is indicative of the usual policy of finding an issue to rile people behind only for politicking purposes. If Imran and PTI are actually concerned about getting to the truth of the matter, then pushing for a judicial enquiry by allying itself with other political parties is a wiser path to take, instead of alienating the others by threatening to hold a sit-in.”
Not only did the editorial seem doubtful that Khan’s intentions were honorable with his Sunday Panama Papers speech, but it was also dubious of the guilt of Sharif himself.
“Right now, the political momentum lies with the opposition, and while it is important to keep highlighting this issue in the interests of holding the government accountable, there is no point in taking to the streets, when there is absolutely no proof that the government or its leaders were even engaged in wrongdoing. If the investigations point the finger at Nawaz Sharif, then Imran can go back to doing what he does best; bring his supporters out on the streets.”
Analysis of Pakistan’s Panama Papers from Asian Pacific news source The Diplomat was suspicious of Nawaz’s innocence. Sharif has been dogged by corruption charges for his entire political career, and this most recent scandal is likely to limit his power significantly for his two remaining years as head of state, putting most of it “in the hands of the military and opposition parties” like Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Imran Khan has gained a strong following of Pakistanis who extol him as a straight-shooting, outspoken political figure. Of course, Imran’s celebrity isn’t hurt by the fact that he led Pakistan to victory in their one and only win at the 1992 cricket world championship. Long before Pakistan’s Panama Papers came to light, he has been a staunch critic of Nawaz Sharif since losing the election to him in 2013.
[Image via John Moore/Getty Images]
