Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday (today) in a written statement denied holding any offshore companies. submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing of the
He submitted the statement in the Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing of the Panama Leaks case.
The premier in his reply stated that he had declared all his assets in 2013, hence was not liable for disqualification under Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif added that none of his children is dependent on him.
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan comprising CJP Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Hassan resumed hearing of the Panama Leaks case today (Thursday).
The five-member bench decided that a single-member commission will be formed to probe revelations made in the Panama Papers after reviewing all replies.
The Panamagate commission will be headed by an apex court judge and will hold powers equivalent to the apex court.
All the parties in the case, including the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were likely to submit their Terms of Reference (ToRs) on the formation of a commission for a probe into the Panama Papers leaks.
Only the Awami Muslim League submitted its proposed ToRs during today’s hearing. The court directed all parties to submit their ToRs by today.
The PM’s children, Maryam Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz by Monday, did not submit their responses.
When the PM’s counsel was asked why his family members did not submit their responses, the lawyer said they were out of the country. The court expressed its displeasure and asked for submission of responses by Monday so the case can proceed.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali ordered all other petitioners and the prime minister’s counsel to submit their ToRs, adding that the court was not bound to accept the ToRs of any party.
“The commission will report to the Supreme Court,” the apex court said, adding that the commission will hold powers equal to the apex court. The bench also reserves powers to appoint the head and members of the proposed commission.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted their replies over the case in the court during today’s proceedings.
PTI Chief Imran Khan and other top political leadership of the country attended the court proceeding today.
A final decision on the single-member commission will be made on Monday after the apex court reviews the ToRs and responses submitted by the premier’s children.
The hearing was adjourned till 11:30am on November 3.
Earlier, the apex court on Tuesday during a hearing of petitions moved by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami Muslim League seeking disqualification of the PM after Panamagate, ordered the government and opposition to submit Terms of Reference (ToRs) on the formation of a commission to probe revelations made in the Panama Papers.
The court’s order came just a day before the PTI’s planned Nov 2 ‘lockdown’ of Islamabad, and was followed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan announcing that the party’s siege of the capital would be replaced instead by a ‘thanksgiving’ rally at Islamabad’s parade ground.
Read more: SC asks PML-N, PTI for ToRs to form Panamagate commission
-Attorney General can’t fight Nawaz’s case-
PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that it is not Attorney General’s role to take the case of Sharif family’s wealth.
Talking to media after the hearing he said that all three children of Nawaz who’s name appeared in the Panama leaks didn’t submit their response.
Angered by the delay in the case, Imran Khan said, “Government is using delaying tactics in SC. Despite being given two weeks plus to file the reply, Sharif lawyer failed to file Sharif kids’ replies.”
“Nawaz is still asking for more time even after seven months since his name appeared in the leaks,” he added.
Read more:Panama leaks case: Attorney General can’t fight Nawaz’s case, says Imran Khan
-Govt is going nowhere: Khawaja Asif-
Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the government is going nowhere.
Responding to questions by reporters outside Supreme Court premises in Islamabad today, he said some elements have been trying to dislodge the government for the last three and a half years but it stands its grounds.
Khawaja Asif said the present government is engaged in progress and development and no one can prevent it from bringing about real change.