Pakistan’s
Premier Leaves the Country Amid Panama Papers Scandal
By SALMAN MASOOD APRIL 14, 2016
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan —
Speculation about the political fate of Pakistan’s
embattled prime minister, Nawaz
Sharif, was swirling on Thursday after he left the country in the
middle of an unfolding scandal over his family’s offshore wealth.
Opposition
politicians have pressed Mr. Sharif to resign after the so-called Panama Papers
document leak revealed that three of his children controlled shell companies
through which they owned expensive residential properties in London. Demands
have picked up for a judicial commission under the country’s chief justice to
investigate any potential wrongdoing by the prime minister and his family.
Mr.
Sharif has rejected any allegations of money laundering, claiming that his
children have legitimate business abroad, and he has signaled his willingness
to establish an inquiry commission.
But
as the political turmoil increased, Mr. Sharif flew to London on Wednesday for
cardiac medical treatment that he described as a checkup. The timing of the
visit immediately prompted rumors that Mr. Sharif might not return to Pakistan
until investigations were completed.
In
his absence, the finance minister, Ishaq Dar, is leading important cabinet
meetings this week. However, government officials said that Mr. Sharif will
return on Sunday, and will face the crisis.
Mr. Sharif, 66, an affluent businessman whose family has made
its money through businesses primarily dealing in steel, returned to power in
2013 after his party won a majority in the general elections. He had been also
been prime minister in the 1990s and was ousted in a military coup in 1999.
Mr.
Sharif has tried to assert civilian control over the government but has run
into difficulties with the powerful military, which has again become ascendant
in both foreign and domestic affairs in recent months and commands a deep well
of public support.
On
Thursday, Imran Khan,
the most trenchant political opponent of Mr. Sharif, also arrived in London.
Mr. Khan said he was looking to hire financial investigation agencies that
could look into the Sharif family’s dealings.
Mr.
Khan has threatened to lead street protests if an investigation is not
initiated by the government.
Some
political analysts here say that the major opposition political parties do not
want the crisis to reach the point at which the military might step in.
But
the Panama Papers leak has undeniably lent momentum to Mr. Khan at a time when
he had seemed politically weakened. He led thousands of his supporters and
staged a sit-in outside the Parliament in 2014, accusing Mr. Sharif of rigging
the last general elections. That effort to bring down Mr. Sharif fizzled, but Mr. Khan is taking this
as a second chance.
“This
is a godsend opportunity for us,” Mr. Khan said last week, urging Pakistanis to
rise against Mr. Sharif.
Another
mainstream political power, the Pakistan Peoples Party, has so far seemed to be
weighing its options, and there has been no major joining of forces with Mr.
Khan. Analysts say the party may be looking to cut a deal with Mr. Sharif.
“They
are trying to find some kind of political agreement to deal with the current
crisis,” said Hasan Askari Rizvi, a prominent political analyst based in
Lahore.
Mr. Rizvi said Mr.
Sharif is expected to return to the country soon. “He is not threatened to that
extent,” he said. “However, if all political parties join hands, then Nawaz is
in real trouble.”
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