New Delhi: More than 700 Pakistanis have figured in the leaked Pandora Papers document analysed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, or the ICIJ and yet some in the country are celebrating. Why? Because their beloved Prime Minister Imran Khan is not a “rotten apple” and doesn’t feature in the leak.
But there are those demanding accountability for PM Khan’s ministers’ alleged offshore businesses exposed in the report.
Sharing a screenshot of a report that says, “The documents contain no suggestion that Khan himself owns offshore companies”, a twitter user wrote: “That’s my Prime Minister Imran Khan . Alhumdulilah… International Sadiq O Ameen”
Another said, “…No one can prove him corrupt”.
Expected nothing less from my leader!
Anyone who knows anything about Imran Khan , knows that impartial accountability has always been the cornerstone of his struggle. Also all those who were expecting his own name to appear on it…Well, jo bhi karlo, can never prove him corrupt https://t.co/YDYZAVa5mm
— Ahsan Alavi (@ahsanalavi) October 3, 2021
“Despite being surrounded by some bad apples, Prime Minister Imran Khan was not named in the #PandoraPapers,” said a user.
Proud.
Despite being surrounded by some bad apples, Prime Minister Imran Khan was not named in the #PandoraPapers
The history of corruption, enabled & supported by western governments, should be investigated & punished at the highest levels. https://t.co/3I7EIB3PQj
— Cynthia Ritchie ✍? (@CynthiaDRitchie) October 3, 2021
Many online demanded action from Khan and urged him to fire the cabinet ministers who had set up secret offshore companies.
“This is the right course of action. The next logical step should be to start with the cabinet and send packing all those cabinet ministers who didn’t declare their offshore companies. That should be followed by a FIA/FBR investigation of the entire 700 cohort,” a user wrote.
However, there were also those who pointed at how Khan had done practically “nothing” after the Panama Papers leak.
“Same as you welcome PANAMA’S PAPERS, nothing new just the word is changed. You didn’t do nothing with Panama scandal,” one user pointed out, replying to Imran Khan’s tweet in which he welcomed the Pandora Papers revelations and vowed to investigate those involved in the matter and take appropriate action.
Same as you welcome PANAMA'S PAPERS, nothing new just the word is changed. You didn't do nothing with Panama scandal…… https://t.co/8CUGbFKfJx
— Zain Jafri ?? (@Mr_zAinjAfri) October 3, 2021
Some jokingly brought the ‘India vs Pakistan’ narrative. They looked at it as Pakistan’s victory over India in the “warfare of offshore companies”. Making fun of how more Pakistanis figured in the list than Indians, a user wrote, “Pakistan beats India at 5th Gen warfare of offshore companies. India has 6 politicians named in Pandora Papers while Pakistan has 7. What a win!” Another said: “4 minister of Imran Khan’s cabinet and Pakistani General Qamar Javed Bajwa along with 5 others generals in the list. how can you not laugh at this comedy show”.
#PandoraPapers
4 minister of imran khans cabinet
Pakistani General Qamar Javed Bajwa along with 5 others generals
??????how can you not laugh at this comedy show
Pakistani army chief and finance minister of Pakistan has their name in PANDORA PAPERS??????? pic.twitter.com/gdo92LIzRY
— Fatima Khan (@fatimak2246) October 4, 2021
A few others wondered who would be the top corrupt politician to replace Nawaz Sharif this time.
#PandoraPapers
Pandora Papers are going to expose corrupt politicians once again. Let's see who is gonna on the top of list this time.
Last time Nawaz Sharif was on top from Pakistan.#ShameOnGeo pic.twitter.com/JX4a5AcikZ
— Fazal Abbas (@_AbbasFazal) October 3, 2021
With some Pakistani media moguls too on the list, a user wrote “Owners of Jang, Dawn, Express, GNN and Pakistan Today have offshore accounts. These are self-proclaimed guardians of public interest”
Owners of Jang, Dawn, Express, GNN and Pakistan Today have offshore accounts. These are self proclaimed guardians of public interest https://t.co/C8m1uXn8Bw
— faraz (@faraz_lhr) October 4, 2021
In addition to Imran Khan’s cabinet ministers, including finance minister Shaukat Tarin, federal minister for water resources Moonis Elahi, and senior provincial minister for Food, Abdul Aleem Khan, among others, the probe revealed that Jang group editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman, Dawn CEO Hameed Haroon and Express Media Group CEO Sultan Ali Lakhani also owned offshore companies.