SC opens volume 10 of Panama JIT report
A three-member SC bench resumed the hearing of Panamagate.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Supreme Court (SC) has opened volume 10 of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report during the hearing of Panamagate implementation case today (Friday).
A three-member SC bench comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan resumed the hearing of Panamagate during which the court opened JIT report’s volume 10 bearing title ‘Mutual Legal Assistance Requests- Ongoing’ that was earlier kept confidential.
.jpg)
The content has been presented for the arguments over repeated requests from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) whereas Justice Azmat assured to not publicize it to anyone before showing it to Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Harris.
He continued that volume 10 will make everything clear like how many letters were sent and which letter received reply.
Salman Akram Raja presented list of lawyers available in Britain over which Justice Ijaz asked whether it also contains name of the notary counsel but the lawyer said ‘no.’
Attorney General of British Virgin Island wrote letter on June 16 which was replied by JIT on June 23, he added.
Also Read: This is not accountability but exploitation: PM Nawaz
Meanwhile, Salman Akram reiterated that the investigation is incomplete due to insufficient record, therefore, more probe is required. Justice Ijaz responded that trial court decides about the acceptance or rejection of the report.
The lawyer said that Qatari prince was not asked to record statement on a video link, adding that Hassan and Hussain’s investments were carried out by their grandfather till 2004.
He said that finger cannot be raised on Nawaz Sharif for having assets more than earnings on which Justice Ejaz asked would it be right if public office holder possesses assets more than his income.
Salman Akram Raja has completed his arguments.
Arguments of Ishaq Dar lawyer Tariq Hassan
Ishaq Dar lawyer Tariq Hassan submitted his client’s tax record for 34 years in SC after which Justice Ijaz remarked you have brought such a big box, it will be under discussion on television channels for the remaining day whereas Justice Azmat asked the counsel that are you following Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
Justice Ejaz said that it may lead to investigation against the finance minister, adding Ishaq Dar was involved in Huddaibiya Paper Mill and that he failed to satisfy JIT over which Tariq Hassan said that record was there but JIT did not consider it.
Justice Ijaz said that Dar’s assets have increased from 9 billion to 837 million in five years and asked about the pay of Dar as Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak’s advisor. It is illogical to say that Sheikh gave Dar 80 crore in this time period, he added.
Justice Ijaz questioned under what circumstances Ishaq Dar got contract over which Tariq Hassan gave an example, saying he earns Rs 2 lac as a lawyer.
Arguments of Naeem Bokhari
Presenting arguments in the court, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Naeem Bokhari reiterated that PM is no more ‘Sadiq and Amin’ as he concealed assets including FZE company. He alleged the premier also didn’t show his income.
Justice Ejaz remarked it can be possible that PM didn’t take pay despite being eligible over which the lawyer said that salary receiving receipt is present among the submitted record.
Justice Ejaz further asked to tell that this matter comes under court jurisdiction or Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will handle.
Naeem Bokhari said that Nawaz Sharif lied over selling Gulf Steel Mills for 33 million dirham while Azizia Mill was not sold on 63 million riyal, adding that PM was getting gifts from Hill Metal and Hussain Nawaz. It is unbelievable that Nawaz Sharif earned 88 percent profit and he also received money from US ‘Sheikh sahab’.
Justice Ijaz asked from Attorney General to guide about any law that doesn’t allow a public office holder, especially PM, to get employed over which AG said the premier is not bound to follow any rule in this regard.
