LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s political committee head Shah Mahmood Qureshi, after a meeting with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has said the PML-Q like PTI is clear on transparent and independent investigations into Panama Leaks involving the prime minister and his family.

Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, however, hesitated to fully subscribe to Qureshi’s view, and said different issues had been discussed and there was no need to reach at a conclusion in hurry.

He said a solid strategy would be devised to go ahead with the PTI on Panama Leaks investigations. “Issues need to be discussed and synthesised through a gradual thought process instead of taking decisions in a hurry,” Mr Elahi said.

Assessing inconclusiveness of talks, Mr Qureshi said he would explain the meeting points to Imran Khan upon his return and added that PTI’s meetings with the PML-Q would continue in the days to come.

Pervaiz hesitates to fully subscribe to Qureshi’s view on Panama probe

Speaking at a joint press conference at Mr Elahi’s residence on Thursday, Qureshi said he had also been meeting with other parties’ leaders to take them into confidence to build up movement against the government in Panama Leaks context. “I have offered meeting PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to remove his reservations, if any,” he added.

Responding to sit-in plan in Raiwind, Mr Qureshi said a formal announcement would be made by Imran Khan at party’s 20th Foundation Day event in Islamabad on April 24.

Meanwhile, he said, he was meeting all opposition leaders and seeking their support to move ahead with collective wisdom. “The PTI does not want to go for a solo flight this time. The government still has 10 days to devise an acceptable strategy to investigate the financial scam to avert PTI’s protest plan,” he added.

Answering a question whether it is coincidence that all parties’ leaders have gone to England or another London Plan is in the offing, Mr Qureshi said: “Nothing is going on behind the scene and Imran Khan has gone to London according to his already scheduled plan.”

In the wake of new developments of Panama Leaks, he said, only a meeting with forensic experts had been added to understand the investigations into financial matters.

Mr Qureshi said he would also like to hold meeting with Supreme Court Bar Association President Ali Zafar to get his point of view, wherein the association could develop a TOR which included a role for collaboration with the bodies constituted under the UN convention against corruption so that there could be a guarantee for international cooperation.

Pervaiz Elahi said the PML-Q would move ahead on Panama Leaks issue in a systematic manner to elicit better response from masses as every party was looking to deal with the issue in its own manner and convenience.

Immediately, Mr Elahi shifted his focus from the Panama Leaks and chided Shahbaz Sharif for keeping a conspicuous silence on corruption and tax evasion allegations.

Stating that federal and provincial ministers were defending the prime minister, Mr Elahi said Shahbaz Sharif was not coming out of his Orange Train compartment. He said Shahbaz Sharif had rendered the province bankrupt.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2016