JIT once more summons PM’s cousin on July 2

The joint investigation team (JIT) has once again summoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s cousin Tariq Shafi to appear before it.

The investigation team, constituted by the Supreme Court to probe businesses and financial dealings of Sharif family, issued summons to the PM’s cousin Shafi to appear before it at 12 noon on July 2. The summons, signed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) member of the JIT Irfan Mangi, were issued on June 23, a private news channel reported.

Shafi, on two previous occasions, appeared before the team of investigators on May 16 and 17.

It is vital to mention here that Tariq Shafi had submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that he was part of all transactions relating to the sale of Dubai properties owned by Mian Sharif — father of PM Nawaz Sharif — and transfer of that money to Qatar.

However, after having appeared before the JIT, Shafi, through his lawyer, wrote a letter to JIT head Wajid Zia alleging mistreatment of him by some members of the team.

The letter read that a JIT member threatened him with serious consequences if he didn’t withdraw the affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court.

Thus far, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his brother Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, his sons — Hassan and Hussain Nawaz — and his son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar have appeared before the Panama Leaks case JIT.

The Supreme Court has directed the Panama case JIT to submit its final report on July 10.