ISLAMABAD – On Friday Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced his decision to hold a rally in Islamabad on April 28 over the Panama Papers verdict to demand resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Speaking to reporters outside the National Assembly Khan posed the question: “How will the PML-N confront the public after the comments made in the Supreme Court judgement?”
“I asked the PML-N supporters, what were you distributing sweets for yesterday? You should have read the full judgment yesterday,” he said. “It has never happened in Pakistan’s history before those comments were passed against a sitting prime minister.”
“All five judges have raised questions asked by the PTI,” he said, adding that the apex court had rejected all defence presented by the PM’s counsel. “Resign while you are being investigated,” he urged the premier. “This is not an unusual demand.”
Imran asked if it was possible for heads of institutions like the National Accountability Bureau to investigate the prime minister while he is in power. “If these institutions had been working, they would have stopped corruption already,” he asserted.
Earlier, the opposition leader, Khursheed Shah, demanded that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resigns from his position during Parliament proceedings.
In reply, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Sheikh Aftab said Nawaz is the elected representative of the people of Pakistan and would not step down from his position.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed were also present at the assembly session.
While low attendance was witnessed on the treasury benches, those present on the opposition benches stood up from their seats in protest. The leaders of Pakistan Peoples Party protested by pounding their desks.
Since no one from the opposition or treasury benches were maintaining decorum, the speaker adjourned the session for an undefined period.