JIT alleges govt departments altering record

• JIT submits inclusive reply over ‘picture leak’
• Justice Afzal asks Attorney General to review report
• Kh Harris can also access report with AG’s consent
• JIT points out some tampered record from offices

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), set up to examine the business dealings of the Sharif family abroad, on Monday told the Supreme Court that not only have some governmental departments shown reluctance in handing over relevant records, but some records have also been tampered with.The bench took up an application in which the investigators highlighted certain issues and problems they have been facing in concluding the probe within the stipulated two-month timeframe.

The bench took up an application in which the investigators highlighted certain issues and problems they have been facing in concluding the probe within the stipulated two-month timeframe. The JIT also submitted its report to the Supreme Court over the leaking of a photograph of Hussain Nawaz, a businessman and elder son of the prime minister.

The report was submitted to a three-member special implementation bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan. During the proceedings, Justice Ejaz Afzal asked the Attorney General to review JIT report. Justice Ejaz remarked that the JIT has rejected most of the accusations levelled by Hussain Nawaz. “Who leaked the picture and what action was taken against the person responsible, was all part of the report,” he said.

Khawaja Harris, counsel for Hussain, objected video recording of JIT proceedings. The bench observed that there was no bar on recording the proceedings as it was carried out to produce accurate transcripts. Justice Ejaz asked Harris to look at the JIT’s response if the Attorney General office has no objections. The bench directed Khawaja Harris to look into the report and submit reply on Wednesday.

The JIT reportedly rejected the majority of the allegations levelled against the body in connection with the leaking of Hussain’s picture, but also told the court that punitive action has been taken against one individual suspected of involvement in the incident. The court expressed its concern that the JIT would not be able to complete the investigation within the timeframe if obstacles were created in the probe.

The bench remarked that the allegations levelled in the JIT probe were of a serious nature, while some departments have been accused of tampering records. Justice Ahsan wondered why heads of some government departments resorted to writing to the apex court after their appearance before the JIT in connection with the probe. He said that these letters were later released to the media by the officials.