ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz on Tuesday recorded his statement before the joint investigation team (JIT).
This is the second appearance of the premier’s son before the JIT, probing the premier’s family’s financial dealings abroad. The JIT continued interrogation for around five and a half hours.
Hussain Nawaz came out of the building and spoke to media after the session. “I was fasting and responded to all the questions asked,” he said, adding he has provided all the documents that the JIT asked for. “I respect the law. I can say with conviction that nothing wrong would be proved against me, my father (Nawaz Sharif) or any sibling,” Hussain Nawaz said.
When asked about the two members that Hussain earlier had objected to, the premier’s son stated that the matter should be set to rest. “If I have any objections in future, I’ll appeal to the court,” he said. He added that he would reappear before the JIT whenever he is asked to.
The premier’s son, who appeared before the JIT for almost two hours on Sunday as well, reached the JIT headquarters – Federal Judicial Academy – at around 11am. He was greeted by a horde of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) activists upon his arrival.
Sources in Hussain’s legal team informed that the JIT had asked for important documents related to 16 areas of interest related to offshore companies, foreign bank statements, tax returns and properties. Reportedly, legal counsel of premier’s son was not allowed to accompany him during the interrogation.
Moreover, National Bank of Pakistan President Saeed Ahmad also reached the venue around the same time to give his statement to the JIT. Sources said Ahmad appeared first in front of the JIT, headed by Federal Investigation Agency’s Wajid Zia.
PML-N leaders, including premier’s political secretary Asif Kirmani, MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Senator Chaudhry Tanvir, MNA Maiza Hameed, Danial Aziz, Hanif Abbasi and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar also reached the venue along with party workers.
Around two-and-a-half hours later, a special ambulance arrived at the JIT headquarters. Answering journalists’ queries at the academy’s gate, a man sitting in the SUV-turned-ambulance with a government number plate identified himself as Dr Omar and said they had been called in. He refused to comment further and went inside.
Some reports claimed that Hussain Nawaz’s health deteriorated during the interrogation. However, it was cleared later that the ambulance was called for NBP chief and not Hussain Nawaz.
On Monday, the special bench overseeing the implementation of Panama verdict reposed its confidence in the JIT in light of the objections raised towards two team members by the prime minister’s son.
