ISLAMABAD, November 1: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Tuesday directed Pakistan Muslim League, Jamat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and other parties to submit their Terms of Reference (ToRs) on the formation of a commission to probe the Panama Papers leaks.
A five-judge apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Hassan heard the case.
The top court has directed parties including PM Nawaz Sharif, his family and others to submit their replies over the petitions moved by Sirajul Haq Ameer JI, Imran Khan Chairman PTI, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Tariq Asad made this decision before adjourning the hearing of the Panamagate case that calls to investigate the prime minister and his close family members over alleged investments in offshore companies.
During the hearing of petitions on Panama Papers in Islamabad, the
government and Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaaf expressed their consent for the formation of the commission. The e parties presented their proposal in writing for formation of the commission.
The bench said if the parties failed to agree on the TORs, the court itself will decide the matter. The Chief Justice directed all the sides to show restraint in the present situation.
The court said that in the event that both parties do not form a consensus on ToRs, the court itself will decide the terms.
“The commission will report to the Supreme Court, and larger bench would deliver judgment on the issue” the court said, adjourning the hearing to November 3. It said that the commission will hold powers equal to the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali asked both parties to “show restraint”. “We have to save the country from unrest and crises,” Justice Jamali said, adding that the Panama Papers issue has affected the entire country.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa added that the apex court is the supreme forum to resolve conflicts.
The apex court had earlier directed both the government and PTI to submit their comments after consulting with their respective leaderships on the formation of a commission and suspended the hearing for two hours. It had said the court will decide who will chair the commission and who its members will be.
Petitions in relation to the leaks were first moved by Advocate Tariq Asad, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq, PTI chief Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League (AML) head Sheikh Rashid Ahmed asking for the appointment of a judicial commission to investigate the investment made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and members of his family in an offshore investment company called Mossack Fonseca.
Both the PML-N and the protesting PTI took up the Supreme Court’s offer to form a judicial commission.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, PTI’s counsel Hamid Khan said, “There is agreement on the commission.” We have said the commission will investigate Panamagate and give its findings,” he said, adding that the court told both parties to present ToRst. “If there is no consensus, court will decide ToRs itself,” the lawyer said.
“The PM had on April 4 had said he presents himself and his family for accountability. But he wasted seven months.”
PML-N lawyer Aslam Butt also informed the court that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agreed to the formation of a judicial commission.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing was adjourned, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “Now the judiciary has taken up the matter, there is no logic in agitation on the streets.”
“Both the accused and accuser are standing before court so I think the nation should be given relief from the agony of this protest.”
He urged the PTI do pause the politics of sit-ins and added that the government has “complete faith in the judiciary”.
Meanwhile talking to the media persons outside the apex court, Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif said that the prime minister has openly welcomed the formation of the commission on Panama Papers. He said the Prime Minister wants early conclusion of the case.
Khawaja Asif said we have wholeheartedly accepted the court’s orders and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf should also take back the protest call. He reiterated that there is no justification of the protest following the court’s proceedings on the matter.
Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique expressed the confidence that the PTI leadership will show maturity and take back the protest call for return of normalcy to the country. Railways Minister Saad Rafique addressing Imran Khan said, “Do us a favour and don’t put your workers in testing times.”
“Now that the Supreme Court has made a decision and a consensus has been reached, the November 2 protest should end, he said. AML leader Sheikh Rashid speaking to reporters said, “I think the court has felt the pain of the nation. They have told all parties to take the nation out of this hardship.”-Sabah
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