Prior to the appearance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) showed their support for Hussain Nawaz on media.
While the premier’s son was before the JIT, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Danyal Aziz, flanked by other party leaders including MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, spoke in his favour in front of the media.
Aziz said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif never asked for an exemption from court hearings. “Imran Khan is afraid of appearing and being investigated. He is an absconder and has not appeared before joint investigation team,” he said.
Aziz stated that PML-N is a party which respects the constitution and state institutions. He added that a JIT has been formed for investigation against Khan since 2014.
The party leader stated that Hussain Nawaz received a notice yesterday for appearing before JIT — probing the offshore wealth of Sharif family in Panama Case — and they appeared before the probe team today.
“We have always respected the judicial system,” the PML-N leader said.
Even, before the premier’s son’s arrival, Anser Aziz, PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi and other party workers had reached the venue in a show of support.
Hussain, in a petition filed in the Supreme Court that is set to be heard on Monday (tomorrow), has objected to two JIT members, questioning their partiality. Pervaiz Rasheed said Hussain’s objections are legitimate and should be taken into consideration. “JIT should have decided not to go forward with today’s [Sunday] summoning till the Supreme Court decides on his petition,” said Rasheed
Similar views were expressed by State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb while talking to a private TV channel. She said the JIT could have waited for a day to let the Supreme Court bench adjudicate on the matter.
Earlier, reports stated that as the premier’s son is not in the country, he may send a legal representative.
Responding to those reports, in a statement on Twitter Saturday night, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said he is not surprised to learn that Hussain Nawaz is reluctant to appear before the JIT. He [Hussain Nawaz] too cannot play without the help of the umpire, just like his father, the PTI chief remarked.
