In a major blow to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, country’s top court on Tuesday asked the ruling Pakistan Muslim League and opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to submit their Terms of Reference (ToRs) on the formation of a commission to probe the Panama Papers leaks.
The Supreme Court made this decision before adjourning the hearing of the Panamagate case that calls to investigate the Nawaz Sharif and his family members over alleged investments in offshore companies, the Dawn reported.
If both the parties fail to form a consensus on ToRs, the court itself will decide the terms, it said.
The commission will report to the Supreme Court and will hold powers equal to the top court.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali asked both parties to "show restraint".
The apex court had earlier directed both the government and PTI to submit their comments after consulting with their respective leaderships on the formation of a commission and suspended the hearing for two hours.
It had said the court will decide who will chair the commission and who its members will be.
According to Dawn, both the PML-N and the protesting PTI took up the Supreme Court's offer to form a judicial commission.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who had announced a massive rally in Islamabad on November 2, said that lockdown will instead be marked as a day of thanksgiving.
Khan thanked those who were part of his struggle against corruption.
"Go home and rest," Khan told supporters, "You have to return to Islamabad tomorrow to celebrate thanksgiving at Parade Ground."
"I am elated that the investigation into Nawaz Sharif's (alleged corruption) will begin day after tomorrow," he said.
