- Special bench summons SBP governor, SECP chairman for next hearing
- Justice Azmat remarks no one will be allowed to play games with court
The Supreme Court special bench, constituted to ensure implementation of the apex court verdict in the Panama Papers case, on Wednesday directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to submit list of their grade 18 and above employees till Friday.
The bench comprises three judges of the larger bench, including Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh and Justice Ijazul Ahsen, who had handed down the majority judgement in the Panama Papers case for the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to further investigate the issue.
During the proceedings, Justice Ejaz observed that the court would look into the lists of officials provided by respective institutions and approve the names for the JIT. The court wanted officials of high integrity to be part of the investigation team so that transparent investigations could be carried out, he said.
Justice Ejaz observed that the officials nominated by the SBP and the SECP did not meet the court’s criteria. “We want honest and professional officials to be members of the JIT,” he said. Justice Azmat remarked that the bench would ensure that proceedings were conducted in an impartial and transparent manner.
Justice Ahsan observed that the court would not accept any excuse to delay the proceedings. “No one will be allowed to play games with the court,” Justice Azmat remarked. The court ordered SBP governor and the SECP chairman to appear during the next hearing on Friday. Justice Ejaz remarked that the names of the officials sent by the State Bank and the SECP were rejected as they were not above board.
Justice Azmat remarked that the bench would choose and approve the names for the joint team. “Don’t play games with us,” Justice Azmat remarked when Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf told the court that the SBP governor won’t be available and the court may summon the deputy governor. The special bench is fully empowered to pick and choose the team members.
Previously, the Supreme Court had inaugurated a special cell headed by the deputy registrar who’ll act as a coordinator between the special bench and the investigation team. The coordinator will be responsible for the communication between the bench and the JIT and also submit the fortnightly progress report before the bench. The hearing was adjourned till Friday.
