Pakistan's Imran Khan calls off planned 'lockdown' of Islamabad
Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has abruptly called off a planned "lockdown" of the capital Islamabad in the wake of a court ruling that paved the way for an investigation into allegations of corruption against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family.
Khan, a former Pakistan cricket star turned politician, told a press conference at his home on the outskirts of Islamabad on Tuesday that his supporters would instead hold a rally thanking the Supreme Court for its decision.
"I am so happy that the Supreme Court has decided that from Thursday it will begin probing Nawaz Sharif," Khan said while surrounded by thousands of supporters who chanted anti-government slogans.
Khan had earlier said anti-government protests would continue until the Sharif administration offers an appropriate response to the corruption allegations.
Leaked confidential documents from the Panamanian Mossack Fonseca law firm have shown how the company helped rich and powerful clients across the world with shady businesses. The clients reportedly include three of Sharif's children who carried out business transactions that could be judged as money laundering and tax avoidance.
The leaked records revealed that Sharif's children, Hasan, Hussain and Maryam, not only owned offshore companies, but also real estate property in London. Sharif's family denies any wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, the court began hearing a case into the so-called Panama Papers leaks and offered to form a commission to investigate revelations.
"We are determined to resolve this issue. We will solve it and we will solve it as soon as possible. Now the highest forum in the country in regards to dispute resolution has taken up this matter, so now you hold your positions, please restrain," Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, one of the five judges hearing the case, told the court.
Minister of State Miftah Ismail has also welcomed the court ruling, saying, "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said from day one that he's ready for complete and transparent accountability."
The minister said canceling the march was a face-saving move by Khan. "I think PTI was unable to get sizeable crowd together and felt under pressure to call off their lockdown and save themselves embarrassment. That is why they took this opportunity provided to them by the court and cancel their promised agitation."
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