AAMIR SAEED

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will have to face consequences if it is proved that he told lies in his two addresses to the nation and one speech in the Parliament House, as there are clear contradictions in all his three speeches.

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said this on Thursday while quoting a judge of the Supreme Court's five-member bench that is hearing Panama Leaks case.

Talking to media persons outside his residence in Bani Gala, Imran expressed satisfaction over the pace of hearing in the Panama case and termed remarks of the judges "encouraging for the country."

"Our case is based on the facts that the Prime Minister is lying," he said, adding that the Sharif family will have to answer many questions as there is a clear contradiction in their statements. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that a chief executive is being grilled for his assets and this has been achieved after a long struggle, he said, adding that regardless of the final results, this would be positive for the country.

Imran said that argument on a Qatari prince's letter submitted in the Supreme Court, is yet to begin but this has already enhanced the existing doubts. "Much more will be revealed when turn of Nawaz Sharif comes (in the Panama case in Supreme Court)," he said.

Taking on the government ministers for defending the Sharif family in the case, he questioned if there is a democracy or monarchy in the country. "In any democratic country, ministers aren't supposed to defend corruption," he remarked. Imran said the Prime Minister should have resigned to allow a transparent probe into the allegations after the controversy surfaced.

"The match has just begun," he said, adding that he is leaving for London for three days to see his sons.

Earlier, talking to media persons outside the premises of the Supreme Court, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said the PTI lawyer Hamid Khan has pleaded case of the Prime Minister effectively in the court instead of Imran Khan. "Our opponents will face a defeat (in the case) .... we should wait for the final judgement," he added.

Rafique said the judges repeatedly warned the PTI and its lawyers during the hearing of the case that they should not do politics on the issue.

He also criticised the PTI's decision of boycotting the joint session of the Parliament that was addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "It was a national responsibility of Imran Khan not to give an impression of division to the world," he said, adding that the PTI had also boycotted the joint session convened to discuss the Kashmir issue.

"Parliament belongs to the people of Pakistan and their (PTI members) presence in the Parliament would have strengthened Pakistan," he added.

To a question, he said that there is no contradiction in the speeches of Prime Minister and the Sharif family has never sent money abroad for investment. "The Sharif family earned all its money abroad through skills and hard work and invested it there," he added.