PTI Senator Faisal Vawda welcomes an inquiry into the Pandora Papers case. He demands that PM Khan begin the investigation with him.
The explosive Pandora Papers accused key members of PM Khan’s PTI team of having offshore companies. Among them, PTI Senator Faisal Vawda was also named.
However, many accused in the Pandora Papers denied the allegations. They claimed that it is a misrepresentation of facts. In this regard, Faisal Vawda also took to Twitter to state the same.
“Only Imran Khan can take the bold decision of Pandora Papers inquiry. I welcome it and request PM Imran Khan to direct the inquiry team to work 12-14 hours on daily basis and bring the result in 5 days and the nation should see it. They should START WITH ME taking it as a test case,” Faisal Vawda tweeted.
As the Pandora Papers named more than 700 Pakistani leaders, PM Khan ordered an investigation. PM Khan formed a special, high-level cell to probe the Pandora Papers exposé.
According to sources, PM Khan tasked the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and other bodies to probe the matter.
Read more: Pandora Papers: PM Khan assures accountability
Furthermore, in a bold statement, Faisal Vawda said, “If I’m proven guilty, then punish.” Consequently, he also demanded accountability for the journalists who defamed him.
If I’m proven guilty punish me, but also tell if I’m proven right what will be the punishment for so called investigative journalists for misrepresenting facts, defaming and sensitisation???
— Faisal Vawda (@FaisalVawdaPTI) October 5, 2021
Why did Pandora Papers name Faisal Vawda?
As per the Pandora Papers, Faisal Vawda, his wife, and sister own an offshore company. The Vawda family incorporated Dazzling Worldwide Ltd in the BVI jurisdiction in 2012 to invest in UK properties.
Earlier, media reported that Vawda owned multiple luxurious properties in upmarket areas of London. In 2018, he declared only three UK properties and the flats he owned in Dubai and Malaysia.
In other words, he did this under the whitening of the black money scheme (tax amnesty scheme, 2018) introduced by the PML-N government.
Most importantly, he resigned in March this year from membership of the National Assembly and as a federal minister, amid a controversy over his status as a dual US-Pakistan national.
Read more: Faisal Vawda resigns from National Assembly
In conclusion, Vawda told the ICIJ that he has declared all the worldwide assets held in his name to the Pakistani tax authorities.