Supreme Court raises key questions in Panama Papers case – DunyaNews Pakistan

  Last Updated On 06 December,2016 02:59 pm

The apex court has adjourned case hearing till Wednesday.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya news) – While hearing the Panama Papers case today (Tuesday), the Supreme Court of Pakistan raised three important questions: How did the Prime Minister’s children create their companies? Is Maryam Nawaz dependant on someone? And did the prime minister tell the truth in his statements?

Salman Butt, the counsel of the Prime Minister submitted before the bench that Maryam Nawaz is not dependent on his client. He referred to the income tax returns as well as the nomination papers filed by his client in 2013 saying all details about properties were declared in them and nothing was withheld.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed argued that trust deed submitted by Sharif family was forged. He alleged that Sharif family committed money laundering and embezzled motorway project funds.

Sheikh also claimed that Sharif family still has $300 million dollars in Swiss banks.

Also today, the premier’s children submitted a petition through their counsel Akram Sheikh in the Supreme Court requesting for day-to-day hearing of the case.

“The issue is very critical and institutions are getting affected,” stated the petition.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s counsel Naeem Bokhari also completed his arguments before the five-member bench.

Commenting on lawyer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s request regarding formation of the commission, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said the court was keeping an open mind on the idea of forming a commission on the matter.

In his remarks, the CJP said if considered appropriate, the commission will be constituted for investigation into Panama Papers issue.

The CJP said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) are not working effectively.

“If these institutions do not want to work, why don’t we shut them down,” he asserted.

The apex court has adjourned case hearing till Wednesday (Nov 7).

Talking to media outside Supreme Court, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said every time PTI comes before the court with baseless allegations without any solid proof.

She advised the PTI leadership to withdraw the case as it is completely baseless.

On the occasion, Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman says we are trying to present before the court all evidence as soon as possible.

She said Maryam Nawaz Sharif is no more dependent on her father, the Prime Minister after marriage.