A short while after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan made a significant about-turn on the party's planned 'lockdown' of Islamabad on Nov 2 by calling for a day of 'thanksgiving' instead, politicians began debating who 'won' the tussle between the government and the opposition.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz politician Rana Mashood, while speaking to Express TV said, "I think Pakistan won today, not the government or the opposition... Whatever the Supreme Court decides, we will accept it."
He pointed out that countries which had invested in development projects in Pakistan were very worried. "Lots of embassies were closed. It sent a very negative message," he said.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar reiterated this sentinement in a press confernce, saying it is a victory for the country. "Pakistan's victory lies in democracy and the rule of law."
In a conversation with ARY News, Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri said, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon," a Quranic verse recited upon hearing of someone's death.
Daughter of the premier, Maryam Nawaz, dubbed it a "hasty retreat".
"Another assault on the country comes to naught. I hope against hope that those beating a hasty retreat will learn from the embarrassment," she added
"Let this be on record that it was the prime minister who requested the honourable Supreme Court for a commission on 22nd April, 2016," said Maryam Nawaz.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif lauded the Supreme Court's (SC) decision. "The SC of Pakistan has spoken for rule of law over agitation just as we always did," he claimed.
PTI's chief whip in the National Assembly Shireen Mazari maintained that "Imran Khan and the PTI's struggle for 20 years for accountability saw fruition today in the SC decision to hold the powerful accountable before the law."
PPP Senator Rehman Malik, however, saw a conspiracy in the matter. "My prediction of plea bargain between PTI and the government through bargain via backdoor channels has come true, resulting in [turning the] dharna into 'Youm-i-Tashakur'."
PPP MPA Sharmila Faruqi and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari both pointed out that Imran Khan's sudden pivot on the 'lockdown' was a u-turn.
UUUUUU TURN@ImranKhanPTI
PPP Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, speaking to ARY News, said he believes there "should be an enquiry under the Panama Papers Bill which should be made an act. He added that the bill contained the necessary regulations particularly regarding how to trace money in foreign countries.
Awami National Party's central spokesman Zahid Khan, was of the opinion that "the government has benefited" from the SC decision.
"They did not make a new law under which they set up the commission," he said.
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said in a tweet that the "Supreme Court should not only identify the culprits but also punish them according to the law to eradicate corruption."
We welcome the decision of Supreme Court to take up Panama issue and investigate it. This is first step towards accountability
PTI's Ejaz Chaudhary said the party's struggle continues. "This is a temporary phase. We are with our chairman."
PM’s daughter Maryam Nawaz expressed hope that “those beating a hasty retreat will learn from the embarrassment.” She also mentioned that it was the prime minster who first requested Supreme Court to form a commission.
DAWN News
Another assault on the country comes to a naught. I hope against hope that those beating a hasty retreat will learn from the embarrassment.
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