Panama leaks case: PTI refuses to accept SC’s proposal to form commission

A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali resumed hearing of the Panama Leaks case on Friday on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other parties.

The hearing has been postponed until the first week of January 2017. PTI refused to accept the Supreme Court’s option of forming a commission to probe the Panama leaks case. The apex court bench hearing the case would be hard-pressed to adjudicate on the issue. In light of CJP Anwar Zaheer Jamali retirement, he is unlikely to hear cases after a full-court reference, which is being organised in his honour on December 15. If no verdict is announced before Chief Justice Jamali’s retirement then the new chief justice has the power to reconstitute the bench. PTI is not in favour of a commission being formed; however, they have no issue if the hearing is held after winter break. On the other hand, the legal team of the Sharif family might request the court to form the commission, but its emphasis would be that the proposed commission should have limited scope — where it should only record the statement of the Qatari prince and a couple of other people. In the last hearing, the Supreme Court asked all parties to decide over the formation of a commission. The commission will comprise one judge and be able to call anyone as part of the probe. Earlier on Thursday, the PTI Chief Imran Khan said that it was not in favour of forming a commission. “We feel that the bench hearing the case is qualified,” he said. “The Supreme Court should hold a hearing on daily basis,” Khan added. The Jamat-e-Islami supported the decision of making a commission, adding that the Supreme Court should also formulate the Terms of Reference.