اردو
  • Supreme Court satisfied with JIT's progress in Panama case

    Supreme Court Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court bench hearing the implementation of the Panama case verdict has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the case.

    The JIT on Monday presented its first interim report which comprises its findings of the first 15-days of its investigation. It is expected to complete its investigation in a total of 60 days.

    The bench includes Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Hassan.

    Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director-General Wajid Zia, who is heading the JIT, submitted the report to the bench. Other JIT members were also present at the proceedings.

    After examining the documents submitted by the JIT, the bench expressed satisfaction with the progress on the probe and directed the investigators to ensure their task is completed in a transparent manner no later than 60 days — as prescribed in the Panama case judgment.

    When informed by Zia, the JIT’s head, that all related government departments are cooperating with them, the bench replied that in case there is unwillingness to share information from any official, the court should be informed so corrective action may be ordered.

    Before the hearing concluded, PTI’s counsel Fawad Chaudhry asked the bench to make the report public as ‘it is not their personal case but that of the entire country’. However, the bench disagreed, saying there is no legal precedent of an under-progress investigation being made public before its completion. It added that in case there is such precedence, the bench can be made aware of it by the counsel.

    The hearing was then adjourned till June 7.

    Talking to the media outside the court, the JIT head said they are working according to the court’s directions. He did not comment when asked regarding the questioning of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    Speaking outside the court after the hearing, leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz criticised Imran Khan for ‘hurling baseless allegations’ against the fourth-elected premier of the country.

    PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry, addressing the media, said they are disappointed that the JIT’s progress report will not be shared with the public. He claimed since the case affects all of Pakistan, the public has a right to know. Commenting on Monday’s proceedings, he said the judges have termed this a criminal case where the Code of Criminal Procedure is applied; hence the prime minister can be arrested.

    Later, State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb lashed out at the PTI chief, saying “they [PTI] want cheap publicity on issues of national importance.” She said the party [PTI] speaks the enemy’s language on all issues, be it the [Kulbhushan] Jadhav hearing in the International Court of Justice or the Dawn Leaks issue.

    Speaking after the minister, party leader Talal Chaudhry said it was proved today that the JIT is working freely and without any pressure from the ruling party, as was alleged by its detractors before.

    Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, while entering the court to attend the proceedings, had said they will decide on whether to ask the bench to order the JIT to release daily progress reports after examining the present 15-day report.