All you need to know about Panama case Wednesday hearing
Justice Azmat Saeed asked again who owns the London flats adding the SC not bound to JIT report
The third hearing of Panama case in Supreme Court on after the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report began with arguments in defence from the lawyer of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Harris, on Wednesday. He was not alone in the court as leaders of various political parties clustered around to hear his arguments and remarks of judges. A large number of security officials were deployed inside and outside the court to avoid any unfortunate incident.
‘False JIT findings on flats’
Khawaja Harris claimed the findings in JIT report about the flats to be false, adding that PM Nawaz owns no assets except those declared. National Accountability Ordinance (NAB) Section-9 doesn’t apply on PM unless strong evidence is provided, according to Harris.
‘Who owns the London flats?’
Justice Azmat Saeed of the 3-member Panama case implementation bench gave remarks that they’re tired of asking who owns the London flats, maintaining that the court’s verdict is not bound to JIT findings. Sharif family yet to provide money trail, said Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, asking how the money was sent to London from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He further asked why did PM Nawaz claimed to have all documents.
‘Money trail unclear’
Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan commented that the actual case revolves around the Sharif family’s property made in 1990s as money trail of this era is unclear. The bench didn’t get answer of how money was transferred to London from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to purchase the flats, he said, adding the other queries are of secondary importance without the answer of basic questions like when and how London flats were purchased. Justice Azmat said that we know the definition of unnamed person over which the that counsel argued JIT also declared Nawaz Sharif not an owner of these flats.
‘All assets declared’
The lawyer responded that PM never concealed his assets, and that he declared his assets as per law. He told the bench that PM’s daughter Maryam Nawaz was partner in Huddaibiya Paper Mills and that the premier had provided all the details of family’s joint assets. There are no such documents present that show PM as owner of these flats and he has no connection with any transition related to London flats, he claimed.
Arguments of PM’s lawyer conclude
Khawaja Harris completed his arguments diverting some of the honourable judges’ remarks to the lawyer of Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz. When Justice Ijaz mentioned Hussain Nawaz didn’t present any record showing him as the owner of London flats while the documents are clearly naming Maryam Nawaz as beneficial proprietor and Justice Azmat asked about the source of money in formation of Hill Metal, Khawaja Harris replied this question will be given by Hassan or Hussain’s lawyer.
Arguments of Hassan and Hussain Nawaz lawyer
While presenting arguments, counsel of PM Nawaz Sharif’s children Salman Akram Raja claimed the team leveled serious allegations against his clients without authentic evidence. In response to the JIT findings, Raja presented new record in the chamber regarding the sale of 50pc shares of Gulf Steel Mills and transference of machinery from Saudi Arabia. He concluded his arguments earlier than expected and assured to continue them in the next hearing.
Arguments of Ishaq Dar lawyer
The lawyer of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Tariq Hassan, declared JIT report media friendly.
Justice Azmat clarified that JIT was tasked to only collect record after which the trial court will announce its final verdict on the probe report. Justice Ijaz told the lawyer that SC is not an appropriate platform to clear your stance.
Justice Ejaz said that if you want to raise objection over JIT report, then you should bring relevant documents. If you have anything new to say then go ahead as we have not dismissed or announced verdict on your request, said Justice Azmat.
Justice Ijaz alleged Dar of not providing complete details to JIT as he refused to give information about his foreign earning and demanded privilege from JIT. He said the minister has to submit real data in the case.
Tariq Hassan further told the court that he challenges Dar’s statement before JIT over which Justice Ijaz asked do you mean that JIT didn’t record your client’s stance correctly. Justice Ejaz said that this matter can be resolved by analyzing video recording of Ishaq Dar’s appearance.
Justice Ejaz and Justice Azmat abruptly said that the finance minister refused to show his assets. Ishaq Dar s counsel replied JIT declared his client accused which is not appreciated. Justice Ejaz remarked that Dar should not be worried if he is innocent.
Hearing adjourned
The bench adjourned the hearing till July 20. The top court has been conducting hearings on daily basis to conclude the case as soon as possible.
Reaction of different politicians
Sheikh Rasheed said game is over for the PM after his council that Nawaz Sharif was issued Iqama (residence permit) by the UAE government and he was exposed to be the chairman of an offshore company Capital FZE disclosed by JIT.
Talking outside Supreme Court, Abid Sher Ali called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan a liar and claimed he was too scared to attend court hearings.
Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Siraj-ul-Haq told media the rulers consider themselves exempted from accountability while they want to hold everyone accountable, adding that government spokespersons would not have to scream to defend Sharif family if they had submitted the evidence before.
JIT head Wajid Zia has been accused of privately hiring his cousin’s ‘defunct’ law firm in Britain to probe Panama case, State Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rehman said while demanding another JIT to probe allegations against Panama JIT.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry claimed coming Friday would be PM’s last day in power as he had submitted forged documents in the apex court. PTI Chief Imran Khan warned PM Nawaz will be ousted if he doesn t resign.
