A Pakistan government spokesman says the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists -- which unearthed the ‘Panama Papers’ containing details of offshore companies -- has admitted that it had erroneously included the name of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while publishing details of persons who control offshore companies based on documents leaked from law firm Mossack Foncesca.
According to an official statement issue by the Pakistan government spokesperson on Wednesday, the issue of Panama Papers became a subject of debate in Pakistan as the name of prime minister was wrongly included by the ICIJ and subsequently reported by the media.
The ICIJ on its website has now acknowledged the error and removed all data from its website carrying the name of Sharif as the original Panama Papers never contained his name.
Earlier, ICIJ has claimed that the Pakistan PM's family floated 4 offshore companies to “park money’ in Panama. “Sharif himself does not control any offshore company and in fact it’s his children who do,” said ICIJ.
Offering himself and his family for accountability, Sharif had earlier said that he will step down if the probe commission finds him guilty of corruption. He further said he will approach the Chief Justice of Pakistan regarding the formation of a commission to investigate the allegations.
“I hereby announce to write to the Chief Justice, asking him to lead the judicial commission, which will investigate revelations made in the Panama Papers,” he had said.
