Mohammad Jamil
Most analysts consider vicious campaign against Panama JIT formed by the Supreme Court bench to make it controversial. First of all Hussain Nawaz had taken exception to the way the JIT was conducting the investigations, followed by PML- N leaders’ onslaught on the members of the JIT. PML-N Senator Nehal Hashmi then openly threatened those conducting investigations against Sharif family stating: “Remember, you are in service now but you will retire one day; we will make it hard for you and your family to live in Pakistan.” Chief Justice of Pakistan had taken notice of Hashmi’s outpourings and later he was served a notice for contempt of court. The PML-N camp appears to have been losing its patience with the joint investigation team when it said it would seek an explanation for the inclusion of the ISI and MI members in the body. Earlier, PML-N leaders had opposed the inclusion of two members of the JIT, and with raising questions about two more JIT members there is a possibility that it would also raise objections against the rest of the two members. Though they say that they are not criticizing the apex court, but since the JIT has been formed by the Supreme Court, it means that they oppose the verdict of the Supreme Court bench. However, the confrontation between judiciary and the government and clash between the institutions is fraught with perils; and if restraint is not shown the country can descend into chaos and anarchy. Meanwhile, President, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Saeed Ahmad has written a letter to Supreme Court Registrar about the alleged maltreatment and harassment by the JIT during his appearance before it. He accused the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of insulting and threatening him contrary to the apex court’s order.
NBP president said he was made to wait for five hours before conducting three sessions of interviews. He added that he was asked to study a document and write his statement after the initial questioning. “I understand that the court has ruled that all those who appear in front of JIT should be treated with respect. However, I felt during questioning I was insulted, threatened and subjected to undue pressure.” National Bank of Pakistan President Saeed Ahmed is reportedly close friend of Sharif family and, what they say, his bank accounts were used for money laundering. There is a perception that these are delaying tactics. It is pertinent to mention that during the hearing on June 7, head of the JIT Wajid Hussain had apprised the Supreme Court about the problems JIT members were facing, on which court ordered him to submit separate request for the case.
In pursuance of the above instructions, head of the JIT Wajid Zia has submitted a petition to Supreme Court pertaining that the problems faced by the JIT during the probe. In his petition he has told the Supreme Court regarding security concerns, criticism on members, external pressure and other obstacles faced by the JIT. The petition was prepared by Wajid Zia himself and Irfan Naeem Mangi of the Balochistan National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The special three-member bench of the apex court headed by the Justice Aijaz Afzal will hear the case. It has to be mentioned that JIT formed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan has the mandate to investigate, question and ask for documents to support the claim of prime minister’s sons Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz for having acquired the properties out of the genuine income and no money laundering or illegal transactions had taken place.
