The Supreme Court’s Panama case implementation bench on Friday began its proceedings around 9:30am in what is its fifth consecutive hearing following the submission of the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) final probe report into the Sharif family’s businesses.
On Thursday, the three-member bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, heard arguments from the counsel of the prime minister’s children, Salman Akram Raja.
Raja informed the bench that there are several law firms in London that operate on Saturdays, to which the bench agreed.
The counsel also clarified before the bench that his predecessor, Akram Sheikh, may have made a clerical error which led to a confusion of dates regarding ownership of offshore companies by the premier's children.
"We cannot even think of submitting false documents in court," claimed Raja.
During the hearing, the bench also directed for the production of volume 10 of the JIT report, with Justice Azmat observing that they want to keep everything transparent.
The bench asked the prime minister's counsel, Khawaja Harris, to examine specific sections of the volume.
Volume 10 of the report was kept confidential at the time the JIT report submitted its final report. The JIT had asked the Supreme Court not to make the volume public as it contained material related to ongoing international cooperation in the investigation against the Sharif family.
Later, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar's began presenting his arguments before the bench. Dr Tariq Hassan also argued before the court earlier in the week.
On Thursday, the bench observed that prima facie, the case relates to submission of forged documents.
During the hearing, the bench was informed that there is a seven-year imprisonment term for those who submit false documents in court.
Throughout Thursday’s hearing, the members of the bench remarked at different times the absence of any money trail with regards to the Sharif family's London properties as well as the Azizia Steel Mills in Jeddah.
Justice Ejaz observed that in case the ownership and money trail of the London properties is not proved by the premier’s children, they will question the public office holder.
During the hearing, Raja also submitted a 17-page petition listing objections on the JIT report, pleading for dismissal of the report and its 'evidence'.
Justice Ijaz observed that producing the Qatari prince before the JIT was Hussain’s responsibility as the sheikh was his star witness.
Earlier this week, the bench heard arguments of the petitioners over the JIT report, submitted on July 10, and is now hearing the replies of the respondents.
Pre-hearing talks
Prior to the start of Friday's proceedings, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid, one of the three petitioners in the Panama Papers case, addressed the media. He said he expects the case to finish today, adding that “Millions want to be rid of Nawaz Sharif”.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, another petitioner in the case, said whatever the decision of the apex court is, the country and people’s future is attached to it.
“We pray, believe and hope that the country is rid of corruption as a result of the decision,” he said, adding that Pakistan is the only country in the world where the rulers think they are above the law.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, addressing the media, said it is expected the court will reserve its decision today. “The PTI’s fight isn’t with a person or a family but with corruption,” he said.
Qureshi argued that the PTI is fighting for the rule of law. “I hope the Supreme Court won’t let the people down [with its decision],” he added.
Addressing the prime minister, Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) senior leader Sherry Rehman said if you don’t recognise this accountability then you are questioning the Supreme Court.
The PPP leader was referring to the premier’s remarks at the Lowari Tunnel yesterday wherein he lashed out at the JIT and the PTI for their ‘victimisation’ not ‘accountability’.
“If a PPP prime minister had said what Nawaz Sharif did in Lowari, then he would have been held in contempt of court,” she said. Sherry pleaded the premier to step down as he is making every state institution controversial.
State Water and Power Minister Abid Sher Ali lashed out at PTI chief Imran Khan, saying a room should be prepared for him in a mental asylum as he will go insane following the court’s verdict [in Nawaz Sharif’s favour].
Criticising the stance of PPP leaders against corruption, Ali said “I was shocked to see [Qamar Zaman] Kaira and Sherry talk about money trails and lecture on corruption yesterday”.
He quipped that the walls of the Supreme Court shake when these PPP members talk against corruption.
The minister vowed to resign if AML chief Sheikh Rashid can prove the money trail of his properties in Murree, Islamabad and Fatehjang.
Continuing his tirade against Imran’s father, the minister reiterated his allegations terming the PTI chief’s father a corrupt man.
PTI Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said the prime minister should have resigned earlier. “There’s still time, don’t wait for the court’s decision,” he suggested. When asked to comment on the presence of PPP leaders in the hearing, he said “they have to come to take the winning cup of a match they didn’t even play”.
