Nawaz Sharif files response, says JIT probe biased
The three member implementation bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan is hearing the case.
Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday filed objections over a report submitted by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Panama Papers issue in the Supreme Court.
The 10-page document submitted by the premier accused JIT of probing Panama Papers case by violating its mandate.
“JIT’s biased report should be rejected,” Nawaz Sharif appealed the apex court. He has also sought volume 10 of the report which was kept confidential on JIT’s request.
Finance minister Ishaq Dar also submitted objections over Panama JIT report in SC registrar’s office. Earlier, the Supreme Court resumed hearing of Panama Papers case. The three member implementation bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan is hearing the case.
The six-member JIT, set up by the apex court to investigate charges of money laundering against Mr Sharif, submitted its 60-day investigation report to the court on July 10. The JIT found “significant” disparities in Mr Sharif family’s income and actual wealth. Later, the opposition parties said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was no more truthful and honest and the Supreme Court will decide the fate of the country.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the whole nation was looking towards the SC, and it was a very important day in the country’s history.
Mr Qureshi said the future of Pakistan was linked with the direction of this case, and the history has given a big responsibility to the honorable judges of Supreme Court along with the politicians. He prayed for victory, and to put the country on right path by keeping personal interests aside. He prayed for Pakistan to get rid of the clutches of corruption. He added that members of PML-N themselves were now asking Nawaz Sharif to step down.
Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed bashed the government and said it wants to delay the proceedings, and to take the country towards civil war.
Mr Ahmed said the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was continually blaming the JIT, and if it does not stop then “I will request the apex court to summon Nawaz Sharif and let me argue.”
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Sirajul Haq said the case was moving in right direction in the court. He added that the counsels of the government were fighting this case on political grounds instead of giving technical arguments according to the law.
The rulers want to portray themselves as the oppressed and are looking for political martyrdom, he remarked. Mr Haq said that the ruling family and Nawaz Sharif had become ineligible under the Articles 62, 63 who used the floor of the parliament for his business purposes.