Chat with Trump won't save Nawaz from Panama scandal: Imran

E-Paper | October 01, 2026

Chat with Trump won't save Nawaz from Panama scandal: Imran

Dawn.com Published December 1, 2016

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump cannot "save him" from the Panama Papers scandal.

The PTI chairman tweeted saying that while it was good news that Trump spoke to Sharif, the chat will do no favour to the premier in the Panamagate case.

Khan was referring to the premier's telephonic conversation with Trump on Wednesday, during which Sharif congratulated America's president-elect on his recent victory in the US polls.

In a taunting reference to a letter by Qatari prince Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, the PTI chairman said Sharif could not be saved from the Panama Papers scandal "even if a Trump letter arrived".

The Qatari prince's letter was submitted in the Supreme Court in connection with the Panamagate case.

In the letter, the Qatari royal had described his father’s business ties with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's family and his involvement in the London apartments that are at the centre of the Panama Papers controversy.

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The Me Again

Dec 01, 2016 11:12am

I am not a fan of NS or IK but apparently, IK can't think about anything else even for a single moment. Too busy in his ego to appreciate the right moves of NS. He said "good news" but won't appreciate NS or his government.

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Sultan alvi, toronto, canada

Dec 01, 2016 11:26am

Good tweet Khan Sahib. We all love you for your services to this nation.

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ammar yasser

Dec 01, 2016 11:26am

why do our politicians and institutions feel they can be better secured or not secured in affairs of their own present and future (and Pakistan) if they get don't get well concerned with some foreign power? They should consult people of Pakistan only.

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Muhammad

Dec 01, 2016 11:35am

@The Me Again this is called focus. Focus on exposing corruption and bringing about justice and fair play in the society. This call may have nothing to do with Panamagate. IK just sounded a note of caution if Mian Saheb is toying with an idea of getting a letter from Mr Donald Trump to the effect that Mayfair flats were bought from the funds he received from Trump Towers due to his investment in them. You never know. It is easy to refute Qatri Prince but not so easy to refute President Elect of United States.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Dec 01, 2016 11:38am

Imran Khan is absolutely right. The nation is absolutely not in a mood to forgive corruption. Country is on verge on bankruptcy for God sake. The entire nation is with you Imran.

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Joe

Dec 01, 2016 11:51am

And what's going to save your political career Mr. Imran Khan? Have you thought about that? Or too busy bashing others?

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Pakistani

Dec 01, 2016 11:56am

Nor would you ever become the PM with such evident desperation, Imran. Trust me.

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T.M.Wazir

Dec 01, 2016 12:02pm

I am not a supporter or fan of any political leader except for some army leaders. But I am pleased to see some wise diplomatic move by NS calling president elect Trump . Mr. Imran, Nawaz Sharif didn't call Trump to save himself from anything instead he called for the sake of Pakistan's interests unlike you who couldn't even sit in for few hours in the parliament to show gratitude towards Turkey's president . Mr. Imran Khan, you are pushing your 60s , when will you grow up and become wiser? Mr. Imran Your present state of mind and arrogant attitude will not make you successful political leader.

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Nagi

Dec 01, 2016 12:07pm

@Sultan alvi, toronto, canada One need to be blind follower like you to appreciate such tweet. IK should be thankful for Pakistan for what ever he is now. There are many other people like Edhi and Ansar Barni who did much more than IK for Pakistan

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Nomi Goraya

Dec 01, 2016 12:23pm

For PTI their petty interests are above all even country and it is useless to argue as for them success of country means success on NS for them continuity of democracy is monarchy so let them live happily as they want and lets wish that in the end Pakistan and systems of country emerge as victorious and strong. Very right move from PM of Pakistan.

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Ijaz

Dec 01, 2016 12:36pm

Very well said Imran Khan. We are with you.

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Ijaz

Dec 01, 2016 12:37pm

@Sultan alvi, Toronto, Canada. very well said.

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Zak

Dec 01, 2016 01:15pm

@The Me Again can you write down any right moves? Except looting?

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sahmed uk

Dec 01, 2016 01:21pm

Great Man, Keep struggle going the Courts will support Nawaz he thinks he can bribe anybody.

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kalia

Dec 01, 2016 01:30pm

Absolutely right IK....

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M.Saeed

Dec 01, 2016 01:43pm

@Sultan alvi, toronto, canada: What services? Has he done any service even for his own family? Shoukat Khanum was his exploitation of our national psyche.

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Zafar Ahmed

Dec 01, 2016 01:53pm

@The Me Again Let me be fair that all political parties(NL & 3P) who ruled us have made a mess of the country by loot ,plunder & worst governance and not to forget the military dictators. All institutions have become servants of the rulers and not to the state i.e. people of Pakistan. At an age of 70 year, this country still living on supports and following dictates of the donors !

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Shahnoor syed

Dec 01, 2016 01:58pm

It seems Fire of PM Nawaz Shareef's hatered is consuming Imran Khan. Desperation of becoming PM at its worst.

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M. Malik

Dec 01, 2016 02:00pm

Correct. Only a miracle will save NS and PML-N from doom after Panamagate probes.

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ART KP

Dec 01, 2016 02:13pm

Imran khan doesn't want to be PM he wants to expose the corrupts and hypocrites and then let us decide.

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rahi

Dec 01, 2016 02:20pm

I totally agree with IK views. NS has to prove himself clean in the court of law.Nation has suffered enough due corruption of our rulers and now has come to get rid of corrupt politicians.

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M.Saeed

Dec 01, 2016 02:27pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan: I fully agree but, can Imran, or for that matter any single person in Pakistan claim to be absolutely honest and free from both ends from corruption, meaning being not himself corrupt, nor having allowed corruption to prevail through him? If he could gather 10 such people from the whole country, I am sure he could win through them his campaign.

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Jan khan

Dec 01, 2016 02:30pm

I believe that it is a responsibility of every Pakistani citizen abroad and locally to stand against such corruption and to put effort for peace and stability of Pakistan. This will not only be in our interest, but in the interest of the whole region. Nobody should get away with any form of crime and unless they are brought to justice, than we shall see a flourishing Pakistan.

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Shahnoor syed

Dec 01, 2016 02:36pm

By making this courtesy call PM Nawaz Shareef became the first major leader from any Muslim country to facilitate President elect of the United States of America. By doing so PM Nawaz Shareef not only earned the respect and goodwill of Mr. Donald Trump but also that of millions of well wishers of Pakistan. As a matter of fact Mr. Nawaz Sharief has transformed Pakistan from the brink of collapse to one of the fastest growing economies in just 3 years time. Crushing and dismantling the terorsists and their hideouts in Pakistan and peaceful resolution of all the outstanding issues with neighboring countries especially India will be Mr. Nawaz Sharief's greatest achievements. Best wishes from Chicago, USA.

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Mudassar

Dec 01, 2016 03:06pm

IK have lost the sense of proportion. Really he is loosing the plot accusing anyone until proven guilty is just not right. He need to learn to follow the laws of the land and if he is not happy with those laws, he is MP after all why cant he try to spend energy on changing laws. Showing clips of news paper can't proof anything. IK just have to wait till next election and see where he goes from there and what nation decides for him.

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Zahid

Dec 01, 2016 03:15pm

Imran Khan is not a leader.

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Princess_of_DHUMP

Dec 01, 2016 03:15pm

And this person aspires to be our CHIEF DIPLOMAT

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Jamil

Dec 01, 2016 03:16pm

@Joe Imran Khan is fighting against corruption in Pakistan, which is commendable. What's wrong with that?

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Sanaullah (Saudi Arab)

Dec 01, 2016 03:20pm

when your complete institutions fail, then Khan has right to go at any stunt, he is justified at all his speeches tweets, is there anyone else in Pakistan who can do all these things, ultimately beneficiary will be Pakistan.

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Jamil

Dec 01, 2016 03:33pm

@Nomi Goraya Any loyal and patriotic Pakistani would do the same. That doesn't absolve NS and his family from corruption and ill-gotten wealth they have amassed over the years. This is a separate issue to be dealt with separately and the people of Pakistan expect our courts to decide the case strictly on its merit alone. Pakistan can only rise and prosper if its foundation is strong. So the emphasis should be on eradicating corruption, introducing good governance, transparency, accountability and dispensation of justice for all.

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krish

Dec 01, 2016 03:38pm

I am very happy that President Trump has extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan.

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Jamil

Dec 01, 2016 03:39pm

@sahmed uk Kickbacks, bribery and corruption is the hallmark of NS and PMLN government. Anyone fighting against this state of affair, is doing a commendable job.

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Jamil

Dec 01, 2016 03:51pm

@ART KP That's exactly how it should be and can only happen when institutions are strong and act independently without any interference from any quarters. All the political parties should have a level playing field in elections without any charges of rigging, interference or unethical behaviour to manipulate or influence the results, which truly doesn't reflect the actual mandate of the people of Pakistan.

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Ashraf Usman

Dec 01, 2016 04:05pm

Imran Khan is trying to fool the nation by his arrogance that he is most pious of all although he is standing in the gutter of corruption in the company of Tarin,Qureshi, Shaikh Rashid and Chaudries. A man is known by the company he keeps. May God help the country.

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aLeX

Dec 01, 2016 04:20pm

@Muhammad Actually this might be your definition of focus. Your leader actually can't digest the US president elect to have spoken to Pakistan's democratically elected PM. And that tells so much of his leadership acumen

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Mahmood

Dec 01, 2016 04:41pm

Trump praising and endorsing NS as a 'terrific PM' But then Trump also admires Putin of Russia, and thought Kaddafi was a good leader' Does NS wants to be remembered for being put in the same league as Kaddafi who isn't exactly being glorified. Or Putin, who is killing women and children in Syria to protect Russian interests. A wise person would distance himself from a shady character like Trump.

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pessimisticpunk

Dec 01, 2016 04:55pm

@T.M.Wazir lol...never...but you seem obsessed with him, why?

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pessimisticpunk

Dec 01, 2016 05:00pm

@ART KP exactly....he wants nothing to do with your group (if i have him right)

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Tariq

Dec 01, 2016 05:49pm

@T.M.Wazir People like you will finish off what's left of this god forsaken country. It's actually time for you and your like-minded people to grow up and step out of your acute servitude to this corrupt and selfish 'leader'.

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FARIDA

Dec 01, 2016 06:52pm

Imran should try to get over his phobia of Nawaz Sharif. A more constructive effort will be to go to the parliament and work out laws to place checks and balances on the ruling party to stop future corruption of the rulers. Benazir was dismissed for corruption, so were other two PMs of PPP .Did it serve any purpose? Why can't Imran be far sighted ? If NS goes Imran will not sit but if he goes to work in the Parliament (which pays him every month for honest work ) he will serve Pakistan better.

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azam kadeer

Dec 01, 2016 07:12pm

IK sb can you start thinking good for Pakistan not just PM. Corruption been in blood every one need to try and do good get one person disqualified will not solve the issue. you are ok but what about your team. let Govt work and you work in KP and beat PMLN in next election

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Ahsan Gul

Dec 01, 2016 08:18pm

People of Pakistan have elected Nawaz and he is interacting in PM capacity. Otherwise, trump would not be talking to him. Accountability is a total different matter and he will have to answer PanamaGate issues or allegations.

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Dr Riffat Jabeen

Dec 01, 2016 08:19pm

Birds of the same feather flock together!

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Troll

Dec 01, 2016 09:53pm

PM Nawaz Sharif all along Mashallah a rich person ,people just forget his full ship load of scrap was not allowed to berth during Benazir Bhutto era,while during Musharraf era he again got targeted.He faced long exiles,and his businesses got mess up, he had to see businesses as well as maintain political goodwill intact.Whether his money or assets in Pak or abroad,all belongs to his family ,and Imran Khan has no mandate to chose NS as his sole target,besides already NS well probed during Musharraf era,so plz let him serve smoothly.

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Ramez

Dec 01, 2016 10:22pm

although I m not a very big fan oof Nawaz Sharif but it's about time Imran Khan shud be more creative and give full attention to KPK where he was elected and let the democratic system prevail he should set an example in KPK and contest elections wholeheartedly in 2018

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dumbandumber

Dec 02, 2016 02:04am

@FARIDA work out laws or work on those breaking laws?

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ahmad

Dec 02, 2016 06:48am

i'm not supporter of any political party, but i could believes to say that Mr Khan should contact to a brain specialist doctor and made some consultancy. Mr Khan talk like young teenages boy in this age, marriages and divorces made him so sensitive, he is good for nothing, he is bad for everything. He missed great personalities like Justice Wajiha & Mr Hashmi & Mr Alamghir Khan Mashwani, Mr Mashwani run Pakistan Tahreek ShutUp again Mr Khan on twitter, but Mashwani was a true soldierof Khan few yrs ago, Mr Khan PTI having most politically corrupted personalities around him for example Sheikh, Aleem, Tareen & Fawad Ch. Mr Khan Niazi also lost Mrs Reham Khan that was a great lost to Pti, because according to Hassan Nisar a senioer journalist, Reham Khan a mother of the nation. She was an honest wife great petsonality and intelligent women, Mr Khan Niazi want that track which I shouldn't interested, stated by Reham a week ago.

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Zafar Ahmed

Dec 02, 2016 05:52pm

Corruption is the true cause of decay in our country and all the rulers are there to mint money in the name of democracy !

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