No charges of corruption ever proved against me: PM

By
Fatima Farooq
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  • PM, warning his opponents about next elections, says people should not forget there will also be a larger JIT next year
  • ‘I have put myself, my family up for trial, providing details of financial transactions made even before my own birth’

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, for the first time, reached the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) on Thursday to appear before the Panama Leaks case Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

PM Nawaz, addressing reporters outside the FJA in the capital, said, “My financial documents are already available with all relevant institutions, including the Supreme Court. Today, however, I submitted them to the JIT as well.”

“It should be noted that these allegations have nothing to do with my tenure as prime minister and are not charges of corruption. They are charges against me and my family on a personal level,” PM Nawaz claimed.

“I was the CM Punjab and have now been the PM for the third time. But not a single allegation of financial corruption could be brought against me,” the PM added.

“I have put myself and my family up for trial, providing the details of financial transactions made even before my own birth,” the prime minister said.

“My opponents have levied charges of corruption against me, however, neither in the past nor in the present, have any charges of corruption been proved against me and my family.

“In a few days, even the JIT report will come forward along with the court’s decision.

“However, people should not forget that there will also be a larger JIT next year, comprising 200 million people, and they will decide who has worked for the betterment of the country,” in an apparent warning to his opponents about the next general election.

He further added, “We will not let our opponents turn the wheel of progress backwards and the nation will support us even more than it did in 2013.”

“I came here today because we are all equally accountable to the institutions,” he said, adding that there is a lot more he would like to say but he will do so in the next few days.

Earlier, breaking protocol, the PM arrived in a three-vehicle convoy—as opposed to his regular motorcade with several security vehicles.

Accompanying him was his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, elder son Hussain Nawaz, Shehbaz’s son MNA Hamza Shehbaz, son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar, Political Secretary Asif Kirmani, and Principal Secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad and other officials.

After a brief talk with his party members, the premier went into the academy building alone to proceed to the investigation room, where the JIT holds its questioning. As per reports, the premier was also carrying some files with him when he went in. The ones accompanying him then exited the venue, reportedly leaving only Kirmani behind.

Meanwhile, police officials deployed outside the secretariat barred PML-N leaders Khawaja Asif and Ishaq Dar from entering the premises. Other political activists clashed with police officers and raised slogans against the authorities.

Talking to a private news channel, Kirmani said despite enjoying immunity from appearance, the PM did not use it, adding the PM has always respected the courts. “History has been made today,” he added.

Talking about the PM’s sons, he said they are not Pakistani residents but still appeared for questioning.

He also clarified that the premier travelled to the academy in his private vehicles today.

JIT INTERROGATES PREMIER:

During his first appearance before the JIT, the PM was reportedly asked the following questions:

  1. His role in Hudaybia Paper Mills, and documents to show until when he was a part of the board of directors or managements of other family businesses
  2. His knowledge of the funds transferred through and into the accounts mentioned in Ishaq Dar’s affidavit
  3. Different positions he has taken with reference to London properties along with the source of funding for the purchases
  4. The JIT even questioned PM Nawaz regarding his sources of income
  5. The role he played in his sons’ businesses and whether or not he provided any financial help to them
  6. Receipts from the two sons
  7. His knowledge regarding the sale of Gulf Steel along with an explanation of his statement before the parliament on the issue of the steel mill in Jeddah

According to the notice issued to the PM, he has been called as a witness, not as an accused party in the case.

Earlier, the prime minister chaired a high-level consultative session where the Punjab chief minister, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan took part.

After the meeting’s conclusion, the premier said, “We have been held accountable in all tenures and, even now, are ready for accountability,” according to sources.

The PM also reportedly said that his opponents fail to realise that Pakistan matters most to him. “I don’t want anything to hamper the country’s progress,” he said, expressing his indifference about protocol and security.

STRICT SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS:

Extraordinary security arrangements were in place in and around the academy, where the JIT secretariat is based. The Islamabad police, along with Rangers and other law enforcement personnel, had drawn up a special security and traffic plan for the PM’s visit.

As many as 2,668 security personnel, including 400 from the FC and 180 from the Punjab Rangers, have been deployed for the event.

The Islamabad traffic police Wednesday also issued a special traffic plan to prevent citizens going in and out of Sector H-8 from inconvenience.

However, once the PM arrived at the venue, the main Islamabad Expressway was blocked for traffic with vehicles lining up for several kilometres.

Earlier, sources said the security staff of PM House completed a security sweep of the academy, as well as the investigation room, prior to the visit.

A bulletproof dais had been erected in front of the academy, where the premier addressed the media afterwards.

Earlier this week, the premier received a summons from the JIT over its high-profile probe in light of the Supreme Court’s April 20 verdict.

The JIT, in its summons, had asked the premier to bring “all relevant records, documents and material” with him.

Following the summons, the premier asked all his supporters and party workers to refrain from gathering at the academy during his appearance.

However, despite the PM’s ‘request’, a small contingent of PML-N supporters managed to reach the academy “in love for their leader”. Around a dozen women leaders and workers were also chanting slogans in favour of the PM ahead of his arrival.

OTHER SUMMONS:

Previously, the PM’s elder son, Hussain, and younger son, Hassan, have appeared before the JIT five and two times, respectively.

The PM’s brother Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif has also been summoned for questioning on June 17. Similarly, the PM’s son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar has been summoned on June 24.

Moreover, former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik is also expected to appear before the JIT on June 23.

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