ISLAMABAD: The prime minister’s elder son, Hussain Nawaz, on Tuesday warned investigators against using ‘unconstitutional means’ to gather evidence, and insisted that no evidence of wrongdoing by his family could be found.
While speaking to the media after being questioned by a Supreme Court-sanctioned joint investigation team (JIT) probing his family’s business dealings abroad, Hussain appeared frustrated at being called repeatedly to answer allegations, insisting that ‘these matters could have been settled in two hearings’ and alleging that the JIT ‘was needlessly complicating matters’.
“Respecting the orders of the Supreme Court, we have been coming here and answering their questions [even though] we have been made to wait as well. As far as the report that is going to be finalised is concerned, I maintain that they will not find any evidence against any member of my family and the reason is that there is no evidence of misuse of office or corruption or money laundering,” he said. “There is no proof, so how can it be found?” he added.
“The thing is, when there is no truth, an investigation cannot be undertaken against anyone,” he continued.
“If you have proof against me or my family, then carrying out an investigation is the right of the state and of the people; but when there is no proof, do not give them the permission to ‘create’ evidence,” he told media. “They have tried in many ways [to collect proof] and these things are going to come forward in the future, but the truth is they will not find anything,” he added.
Hussain also alleged that the JIT may try to conjure up witnesses or pressure people to testify against the Sharif family. “I do not know what is going on here,” he said, gesturing to the Federal Judicial Academy, where the JIT maintains its headquarters. “I only want to make you aware that in case… the mandate of the country is insulted, this should not be permitted and will not be permitted,” he said.
“This has happened with us before in the form of the [Musharraf plane hijack] conspiracy case, [when] false witnesses were presented against us… I want to remind every official of the state that you saw where that case is and where Musharraf himself is right now.”
“So, before doing anything unlawful, keep in mind that you too will have to stand before the same courts tomorrow. And allegations that will be brought against you and the investigations that will then be conducted, you are well aware of [what they will entail],” he warned. “It will be the same media, the same judiciary and the same political order. If you do anything that is against the constitution, you will not get away with it,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, PM’s daughter said in her twitter message that Nawaz Sharif was the real leader of the nation. “Kill them with your success and bury them with a smile,” she said. She also wrote the slogans of “Sher…Sher …Sher”. The JIT has also summoned National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhary to appear on Wednesday (today) along with the relevant record. Sources said that he has been called by the JIT in Hudaibya Paper Mills case.
It is pertinent to mention here that Maryam Nawaz has already been called by the JIT on Wednesday (today).
Published in Daily Times, July 5th , 2017.
