ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday categorically told a joint investigation team (JIT) probing business dealings of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family abroad that the tasks assigned to it should be completed within the 60-day stipulated timeline.
“You must be aware of the fact that the job has to be done within the timeframe set in the court order,” Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who heads the three-member implementation bench, told JIT head Wajid Zia.
According to top court’s April 20 verdict in Panama Papers case, the JIT shall submit its final report of investigation regarding Sharif family wealth within 60 days.
Justice Khan made it clear to all the JIT members that no extension would be granted under any circumstances. “We don’t have any plan to relax the time and it has to be done on time,” he reiterated, emphasizing that the court wants all the material related to Sharif family collected in time.
The bench, however, told JIT chief to report any problems faced by the members to the court. “We know how to implement our orders,” observed Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, a member of the bench.
The JIT also submitted an initial report before the Supreme Court. After reviewing the report, the contents of which were not made public, the bench expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the team.
“We are not dissatisfied. You are heading in right direction. We have a lot of confidence in you,” Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed told JIT head Wajid Zia.
Three copies of sealed report, each comprising two volumes, were submitted by JIT head Wajid Zia before the bench when it took up the case for hearing.
The bench, however, rejected the request of the PTI, the petitioner, for handing them over a copy of JIT’s interim report to it.
PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhary contended before the bench that it was not a private case but a matter of public importance, adding that every citizen of the country wanted to know what was happenning. In response, Justice Khan questioned PTI spokesperson that if there was any provision of CrPC that allowed disclosure of prosecution related documents before conclusion? “We would go by the law. We will not deviate from the law,” Justice Khan observed.
Justice Saeed supplemented, observing that no compromise on law would be made. “Do not compromise on investigation for the benefit of others,” Justice Azmat told PTI’s lawyer. “We will not sell law to buy popularity,” Justice Khan observed.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan, third member of the bench, observed that any sort of interference will not be tolerable.
During the course of hearing, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed, Jahangir Tareen, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Talal Chaudhary and Maryam Aurangzeb were also present in the courtroom.
The case has been adjourned for two weeks.
Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Wajid Zia has so far reportedly chaired 12 meetings of the joint investigation team in which records were sought from Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
An interview of journalist Umar Cheema was also recorded by the JIT, whereas officials investigating the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case were also questioned by the investigators. The investigation team will submit a progress report after every two weeks to the apex court.
Talking to media outside the Supreme Court premises, Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said the court has expressed satisfaction over the interim report of the JIT. She said all relevant institutions are fully cooperating with the JIT. She said PTI had once again tried to put an unconstitutional demand before the court which was rejected.
