ISLAMABAD: A selected member of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) will be travelling to Doha on July 6 to record the statement of Qatari Prince Hamad bin Jassim, local media outlet reported on Tuesday.
The chosen member’s identity is yet to be disclosed.
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Asif Kirmani, while addressing the media, the other day had stated that the JIT report would not be complete unless it incorporates the statement of the Qatari prince.
Talking about the Qatari prince’s letter, Kirmani said that the royal family member had repeatedly requested the JIT to record his statement but they have not done so.
As per the JIT’s statements in the Supreme Court, the Qatari prince had refused to come to Pakistan to record his statement citing security concerns. He later opted to record his statement with the JIT if it travels to Qatar to do so.
Kirmani further added that the JIT had deviated from its original mandate. They were supposed to acquire details on the London apartments, for which the Qatari letter is sufficient, added Kirmani. He further warned that party workers will have reservations over the report if this is not incorporated. Earlier the other day, reports stated that the JIT had refused to provide the questionnaire the Qatari prince had asked for before recording his statement.
“We are in receipt of your letter dated June 11, 2017…. Although the JIT would have appreciated your appearance in Pakistan, we understand your compulsions and prevailing circumstances, owing to which we accept the offer to the Members of JIT to visit you at Doha to investigate the contents of the two letters submitted by you voluntarily in the…Supreme Court…,” reads the JIT’s letter to the prince dated June 22.
The JIT letter clarified to the Qatari prince that no questionnaire will be provided and that the proceedings will be recorded for the accuracy of the transcription.
“No persons shall accompany/assist the witness during the investigation including lawyers/accountants,” it adds.
Local media had reported on June 14 that JIT had received a second letter from Qatari Prince stating that the royal family member had no reservations in recording statement if the probe team visited Doha to record his statement.
Prior to that, the JIT had written twice to the prince to record his statement regarding the prime minister’s family’s business dealings abroad.
The Sharif family had earlier submitted a letter by the Qatari prince in the Supreme Court tracing the money trail during the Panama case hearing.
