Panama Papers case: Newspaper clippings are not evidence, says SC
The bench ordered all parties to exchange documents' copies and adjourned the hearing till Nov 17.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday has adjourned the hearing of Panama Leaks case till November 17 by directing the parties to exchange the documents’ copies.
A five-member larger bench of SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali, heard the case.
Lawyer of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Akram Sheikh said that no documents were received from the opposition parties regarding the case so far.
He said the premier and his children Maryam Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz have submitted a 397-page document consisting details of their assets and tax payments along with a letter from a Qatari prince stating he gave money to Sharif family for London flats.
He directed Akram Sheikh to satisfy the court by proving that money that was sent abroad was through legal means.
During the hearing, an individual lawyer Tariq Asad requested to not announce verdict in hurry on which Chief Justice said the court would not do injustice to anyone.
Tariq Asad appealed the court to probe into the matter since 1948 but the CJP refused, saying that investigation of corruption is not responsibility of SC.
It will take more than 20 years to probe from 800 people, CJP added.
He also directed the lawyers to consult relevant courts for the corruption in other issues.
CJP remarked third section of article 184 is not applicable everywhere. He also asked lawyer Tariq Asad if he is trying to detract the case.
Anwar Zaheer Jamali said now, the issue is related to formation of the commission.
Meanwhile, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed expressed resentment over opposition for submitting 6636 documents related to previous corruption cases. He said that cuttings of newspapers are not evidence as they are useless when the news get old.
The bench said that we cannot investigate the matter since 1982 as we are humans not computers in which you just put papers for immediate verification.
The counsel of Jamat-e-Islami urged the court to form commission over Panamagate issue.
Justice Azmat remarked that the judicial bench would go through all the records and documents before the constitution of the commission while he said that parties have to justify their statements if they refuse any document.
The bench ordered all parties to exchange the documents copies and adjourned the hearing till Nov 17.
On the other hand, Supreme Court disposed of plea pertaining to stop sit-in over ineffective stance.
Earlier, Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan submitted to SC evidence relating to the Panama Papers case against PM Nawaz Sharif. The additional documents contained details regarding different bank accounts and waiver of loans.
On November 3, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif defended himself before the Supreme Court, claiming that he does not own any shell companies or property through offshore holdings. However, he did not address the offshore links of his children.
Submitting replies on their behalf on November 7, Counsel Salman Butt said Maryam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz are not public office holders. The counsel said that Maryam Nawaz is not dependant of the prime minister.
The PMLN-led government and opposition parties have been locked in dispute about the response to the Panama Papers since April.
