- JIT prepares replies over Hussain Nawaz, Tariq Shafi’s objections
- Summons Hussain Nawaz: Panel likely to call PM’s children Hassan Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz
ISLAMABAD, May 25: Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed to probe Panama Leaks matter, has prepared replies over the objections of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz and cousin Tariq Shafi.
A six-member JIT headed by Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Additional Director-General Wajid Zia is holding a session in which it is decided that the team would proceed the case without any pressure.
Earlier, Hussain Nawaz, in a plea to Supreme Court Registrar, had raised objections on two members of JIT that included State Bank of Pakistan and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
He also blamed the two Panama JIT members of political connections and therefore demanded to replace them.
Panama Papers had published a leak of documents belonging to Mossack Fonseca, a law firm in April 2016 creating an uproar in Pakistan among other countries. The leak was studied by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and stated names of incumbent as well as former leaders of the world who owned shell companies.
Opposition parties in Pakistan saw offshore companies owned by daughter and two sons of PM Nawaz as means to either stash wealth in foreign accounts or purchase assets abroad.
The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami and reserved the verdict in February after conducting hearings on daily basis.
In connection with the Panama Papers case, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has summoned Hussain Nawaz Sharif, son of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
According to media reports, the18th meeting of the six-member JIT was held Thursday (today) at Federal Judicial Academy Islamabad. During the meeting, the panel decided to summon Hussain Nawaz to inquire about Sharif Family’s assets in London and Qatar.
However, the date of Hussain Nawaz’s appearance was not made public owing to security reasons.
In order to interrogate Nawaz Sharif, sources said, the JIT has prepared a list of questions, mostly regarding tax returns of London flats. The panel is also likely to call PM’s other son, Hassan Nawaz Sharif, and daughter Maryam Nawaz.-Agencies
