SC reserves verdict on Imran Khan, Jahangir Tareen disqualification cases
The apex court highlighted contradiction between Tareens written reply and trust deed
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan reserved verdict on disqualification cases on Tuesday regarding both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Imran Khan and Jahangir Khan Tareen.
In Jahangir Tareen disqualification case, the apex court remarked on Tuesday that there is a contradiction between the written reply and trust deed. It was told that Tareen is lifetime beneficiary of the offshore properties and not under mere discretion.
It was told that he presented his children as the beneficiary owners of the trust and not himself. The amount to invest in offshore company was sent from Pakistan, the remarks added. The honourable judges expressed disappointment over Tareen’s written reply.
Justice Faisal Arab told that it is possible all legal means were used to transfer the money, but the PTI leader may have not revealed his asset abroad in the nomination papers filed during 2013 General Elections. Justice Umar Ata Bandial opined that tax authorities were told that Tareen’s children are the beneficiaries of trust, however, Tareen himself is the beneficiary of the trust according to trust deed.
Similarly, the Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, who chairs the three-member bench, reaffirmed that Tareen is the beneficial owner of trust and not his children at the moment. Tareen’s counsel was asked whether the money was transferred to trust by Tareen himself, at which his counsel responded that legal means were used to transfer the money to the trust by Tareen. Trust is a lawful institute and the shares of offshore company are in accordance with the trust.
Imran Khan disqualification case
CJP Saqib Nisar, during hearing, remarked not to expect verdict of the case to be announced soon as plaintiffs are yet to submit additional written material in the apex court.
Justice Saqib Nisar asked Imran Khan s counsel Naeem Bukhari whether hiding assets in the nomination paper was an act of deliberate lying or a mistake. Upon this, Bukhari replied that it might be a mistake that Imran Khan failed to declare his income.
CJP remarked the court has to decide which side is telling the truth.
Earlier, it was observed by CJP that PTI Chairperson Imran Khan declared his London flat but not the offshore company.
He was responding to arguments by Imran s counsel Naeem Bukhari during hearing of disqualification case filed by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz s Hanif Abbasi.
Bukhari informed the three-member bench that Imran declared the London flat in 2000 via an amnesty scheme.
Responding to the chief justice’s observation that the offshore company was still not declared, Bukhari stated that neither his client was the beneficial owner of the company nor its shareholder which is why it was not declared.
During hearing, Hanif Abbasi’s counsel Akram Sheikh argued that Imran Khan has accepted that Niazi Services Offshore company was set up to purchase the London flat and the transactions of the company showed the PTI chairman as actual owner.
Giving counter argument, Bukhari said there was no contradiction in any Imran Khan’s answers provided his client and neither did he take any u-turn.
