Pakistani lawyers have given a seven-day deadline to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign on the Panama Papers scandal otherwise they will launch a nationwide movement against him. Supreme Court Bar Association and Lahore High Court Bar Association yesterday announced their joint stance.
In a joint statement issued by both bar associations after their convention in Lahore yesterday said that after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Panama Papers case which questioned the moral authority of the Prime Minister to rule, Nawaz Sharif should no longer hold his office and should therefore resign.

It said the judgment in the Panama case has clearly indicted Sharif and his children for financial improprieties and corruption and a joint investigation team has been formed to probe against him. The statement said that for a fair and independent inquiry Nawaz Sharif should step down till the final report of the Joint Investigation Team.

In the event Nawaz Sharif does not resign till May 27 the lawyers throughout Pakistan will launch a nationwide campaign and movement to ensure his resignation. Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said Sharif will not resign and he will remain Prime Minister till May 31, 2018.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has warned the government against imposition of curbs on media and social media. He said that his party will not allow the government to suppress the voice of the people in any case.

Addressing a rally at Quetta’s Ayub Stadium on Friday, he accused the Prime minister Nawaz Sharif of trying to impose restrictions on social media through Federal Investigation Agency.