- Directs JIT to continue probe as per law and reiterated to take the much hyped case to its logical end
ISLAMABAD, May 29: Supreme Court (SC) on Monday dismissed Hussain Nawaz’s apprehensions and has overtly stated that no member of joint investigation team (JIT), constituted to probe Sharif family’s offshore assets, would be altered.
The special bench of the apex court comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Hassan heard the case.
According to details, SC further directed Panamagate JIT to continue probe as per law and reiterated to take the much hyped case to its logical end. Expressing exasperation over objections, SC inquired whether Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif would appoint members for probing the Panama Leaks Case.
“Treat those appearing before Panamagate JIT in a respectable manner. Don’t contemplate that case would be prolonged as it would be taken to its logical end,” remarked Justice Azmat Saeed.
“Concrete evidence is required to prove predilection as rule of law remains our priority,” said Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan.
Federal Investigation Agency Director and Head of Panamagate JIT Wajid Zia, during proceedings, informed the apex court that Kashif Masood and Hamad bin Jassim were summoned but they did not appear. “Legal value of Qatari letter would be quashed if Hamad bin Jassim does not appear before Panamagate JIT,” remarked Justice Ejaz Afzal.
It should be recalled that Hussain Nawaz had submitted a five-page application in SC’s registry raising objections on impartiality of two JIT members.
The application states that Bilal Rasool, a member of JIT from Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), has inclinations towards a political party as he is real nephew of Mian Muhammad Azhar, who alongside his immediate family members, is a fervent aide of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Details of social media accounts of Bilal Rasool’s wife were also mentioned in the application which showed her bias as she had posted several status in PTI’s favour but later deleted them following JIT’s formation.
“This act of hers, in fact, raised alarms in the mind of the undersigned, as her removal of posts from her social media account indicates her anxiety to conceal her loyalty, devotion and unremitting support for the PTI,” stated the application.
Hussain’s reservations regarding another member, Ahmer Aziz, stemmed from the fact that he was part of National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) team probing Hudabya Paper Mills case during Musharraf’s era. Ahmer Aziz is a representative of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). -DNA
