'History is being made': Politicians react after PM appears before JIT

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Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before meeting the JIT. -Maryam Nawaz twitter

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif became the first sitting prime minister on Thursday to appear before a Joint Investigation Team, formed by the Supreme Court to investigate alleged corruption by the first family, following the Panama Papers revelations. 

'Nawaz Sharif's reply to JIT very simple'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Umar termed the premier's response to the JIT as simple.

The senior PTI leader also said that the prime minister is again implying that the "establishment is pulling the strings", referring to Sharif's past. 

Umar also questioned if the JIT would ask the premier why the institutions under his control are obstructing and delaying the investigation, after the JIT alleged that certain state institutions are tampering records and creating impediments in its work, besides threatening some members of the team.

'Historical moment for people of Pakistan'

PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry said it is a matter of shame that the prime minister has to appear before the JIT and added that it means the premier was caught.

"This is a matter of shame, the precedent being set here is not a matter of pride.”

Chaudhry also called the premier’s appearance before the JIT as a “historical moment for the people of Pakistan”. 

'History is being made'

PPP's Sherry Rehman said history was being made with the prime minister presenting himself before the investigation team and added that any other prime minister would have resigned before being investigated by officials reporting to his juniors. 

The PPP senator had also questioned the statement read by the prime minister following his three hour interview by the investigation team.

She asked if he had resubmitted the same documents once again.

'NS giving new meaning to governance'

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif praised Sharif for appearing before the Panama Papers JIT. He said the prime minister has set new standards and has giving a new meaning to governance by appearing before the investigative team. 

Asif added that by appearing before the JIT for three hours, the premier has done something which is "unknown in our culture, where power gives immunity".