Pakistani Prime Minister Comes Under Fire Over Panama Papers, Offshore Dealings

Pakistani's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is under fire and is being pressured to step down from his post after being included in the massive tax leak dubbed as Panama Papers. He is particularly being asked to step down by a main political rival.

In a report by VOA News, Sharif is the center of the media now after he is alleged of concealing his family's offshore property. He is also the center of political circles in Pakistan. Despite the numerous reports, Sharif has denied any wrongdoing by himself or his sons. He also announced last week that a judicial commission will be established by a retired judge in order to determine the facts about the Panama Papers.

In a televised speech last Sunday by his main political rival, Imran Khan, he said that judicial commission is just an attempt by Sharif to cover up the corruption done by his family. He continued to say in his speech that he is demanding the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Pakistani nation, to resign.

Khan noted that the demand is due to the fact that Sharif has lost his moral authority to rule over the country or ask the people to pay their taxes. He also vowed that there will be a sit-in protest rally outside the residence of Sharif and his family if the Prime Minister refuses to step down.

Khan did not, however, give any date or ultimatum regarding the matter, but gave the government until April 24 to take appropriate actions such as hiring the services of international auditors and the making of an inquiry commission, The News reported. The commission is being requested to be headed by the Pakistani chief justice in order to investigate allegations regarding corruption, money laundering, perjury, and tax evasion against Sharif.

Pakistani Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed said that Khan's allegations and demands are "baseless and childish," Independent reported.

Khan and his Tehrik-e-Insaf party have staged a sit-in protest outside the parliament back in 2014. It lasted for weeks and he and his supporters demanded Sharif to step down over 2013 allegations of fraud during the parliamentary elections.

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Pakistan, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif latest, Panama Papers, corruption allegations, Imran Khan, Resignation

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