Chief Justice can amend terms of probe panel: Pakistan's PM

Islamabad - Sharif says hunger for power behind Imran's protest campaign

Reversing his earlier tough stance, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the chief justice of Pakistan can alter the terms of reference (ToR) of an inquiry commission he has proposed to hold probe into the Panama leaks.
Sharif said he has requested the chief justice to set up an inquiry commission to investigate allegations against him and other holders of public office.
"I have offered myself and my family for accountability and it is up to the commission to start investigations from me," he said.
Talking to a select group of editors of print and electronic media in Lahore on Saturday afternoon, the prime minister said PTI chief Imran Khan did not want to see him in Islamabad and was pursuing a politics which was destructive of peace and progress.
"He does not know politics and only wants to come into power whatever be the means. He must know that he cannot achieve his designs."
Meanwhile, the PTI has framed its own set of ToRs which will be presented before a conference of opposition parties scheduled for Monday. Party chairman Imran Khan will also spell out these points at a public rally in Lahore on Sunday.
Talking to reporters here before leaving for Lahore, Imran Khan said the prime minister has to answer basic questions - source of his huge funds, whether taxes were paid or it was a case of money laundering, and why he did not disclose these amounts in tax documents.
In a related development, Punjab minister Rana Sanaullah denied reports that only editors and media channels supportive of the government were invited to the meeting with the prime minister to avoid awkward questions.
Earlier, chairing a high-level meeting at the Governor's House in Lahore on Saturday, Prime Minister Sharif said that people have rejected those who are creating chaos and that the era of negative politics has ended.
The premier said that power outages will be eliminated over the next two years, as promised by the PML-N as its election manifesto.
He said power, gas and infrastructure projects would be completed by 2018, adding that education, health, potable water and other basic facilities would be provided at the door step of the people. Sharif said that he would personally monitor the progress of projects initiated to provide basic amenities to the masses.
The benefits of development will be transferred to masses in the next two years, he asserted.
The prime minister directed the authorities to complete the last phase of local bodies elections by next month in order to transfer the power to the people.
Punjab Governor Rafique Rajwana, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, provincial ministers and MNAs and MPAs besides high ranking officials attended the meeting.
Earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and other PML-N leaders called on the prime minister in Raiwind. The interior minister briefed the prime minister on his recent visit to Britain.
- news@khaleejtimes.com

• Pakistan