In a clarification while speaking to NayaDaur-TFT, Junaid Safdar, son of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, said that his name is being falsely reported as having appeared in the Pandora Papers.
The PML-N supremo’s grandson went on to state that in due time, they will be initiating legal action and defamation suits against outlets spreading this fake news.
Media outlets such as ARY News and PTV have claimed that the Pandora Papers contain Junaid Safdar’s name. It has been alleged by the above mentioned channels that Junaid’s name appeared as an owner in offshore companies.
It is important to note that Umar Cheema, member of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), responsible for breaking the Pandora Papers story inside Pakistan, has clarified that Junaid Safdar’s name has not appeared in any capacity.
Maryam Nawaz also took to Twitter, claiming legal action will be taken against news outlets spreading similar fake news.
The Pandora Papers reveal financial secrets of world leaders, politicians and public officials. It has reported on the wealth of high-profile individuals, stashed abroad in various countries and territories. The investigation utilised millions of leaked documents to expose shady offshore dealings. The names reported include the King of Jordan, the President of Ukraine and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Pakistan’s rich and wealthy, including cabinet members of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, have been listed as well. The names of federal ministers Khusro Bakhtiyar, Moonis Elahi and Shaukat Tarin have appeared in the story. Imran Khan’s close ally Aleem Khan is also named, as is Ali Dar, son of former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.