Panama Leaks Case: Supreme Court issues notices to PM Nawaz, others

[Zibago]

Panama Leaks Case: Supreme Court issues notices to PM Nawaz, others

By Web DeskOctober 20, 2016 10:00

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ISLAMABAD: Adjourning the Panama Papers leaks Case for two weeks, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued notices to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the parties concerned on Thursday.

The apex court took up petitions in the Panama Papers leaks case earlier today, seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as leader of the government and his family members.

On behalf of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Hamid Khan and Naeem Bukhari were present in front of a three-judge Supreme Court bench.

Apart from PTI, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Barrister Zafarullah Khan of Watan Party have also filed petitions in the same case.

Talking to media outside the court, Chairman PTI, Imran Khan lauded the top court for taking up the controversial issue what he believed should have been raised by the parliament.

A case in the court against the chief executive of the country was the first step to bring him under the law who thinks he is above everything, he said along with Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Sirajul Haq.

Imran Khan was positive that once the high profile would start probing government’s corruption, shocking revelations would be made.

The Chairman PTI said, PM Nawaz never presented himself for accountability in the case and justice delayed meant justice denied.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on his turn asked media that if others could be held disqualified why not PM Nawaz Sharif could.



Panamagate and protest
For years, Khan had been leading an Accountability Movement in the country against the governing PML-N. Initially, he demanded a probe into the health of the elections 2013, which his party thinks were rigged.

Later names of several Pakistanis including Nawaz Sharif’s children Maryam, Hussain, and Hasan surfaced in one of the world’s biggest ever data leaks through an online searchable database made public by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in April 2016, following which the prime minister had formed an inquiry commission to probe his family’s alleged links to offshore accounts.

Unfortunately, the federal government and the opposition could not agree on drafting joint terms of reference (ToR), which would probe Panama Papers Leaks.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) also failed to probe the case.

The Chairman PTI later announced to go for a street agitation, demanding Nawaz Sharif to step down.

The PTI will now stage a protest sit-in in Islamabad on November 2. Earlier, the siege was planned for October 30 but then the party decided to change the date.

Imran Khan has warned PML-N of stern consequences if the government tried to stop PTI’s peaceful protest by any means.

He has urged people from across the country to come out of their homes and support PTI in its drive against corruption in the country.

The Chairman PTI has already clarified that this time, the siege of the federal capital would continue until the resignation of the premier.
http://arynews.tv/en/apex-court-set-to-hear-panamagate-petitions-today/

 

[The Eagle]

SC issues notices to PM Nawaz, others over Panamagate petitions

By Hasnaat Malik
Published: October 20, 2016

A file photo of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others over petitions seeking his disqualification on account of Panama Papers leaks.

The case has been adjourned for two weeks.

On August 28, Hamid Khan and Naeem Bukhari filed a constitutional petition on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan. The petition sought disqualification of PM and members of his family for their alleged involvement in Panama Papers scandal.

Meanwhile, the three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali rejected Watan Party’s plea not to form the commission to probing the leaks.

The bench also refused to pass an order for restraining the PTI hold a sit in [in the federal capital] on November 2. The Chief Justice observed that when the executive would fail to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, then the top court would intervene to protect their rights. The bench issued notices to all the respondents in the four petitioners.

PML-N intra-party elections mockery of democracy, says Imran

Earlier on Wednesday, the PM discussed with his close aides legal options the federal government can exercise in its defence at judicial and constitutional forums against allegations levelled in light of Panama leaks.

Notes were exchanged between the prime minister and his legal aides, including Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf, Law Minister Zahid Hamid and former AGP Salman Aslam Butt in deliberations that were kept low-key apparently in a bid to avoid media attention.

A strategy is also being chalked out to defend references and cases involving Panama leaks in the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court.

On the same day, Imran Khan said the premier is under a wrong impression about forming a government in 2018 because that day is too far. “Thousands of people will gather in Islamabad on November 2,” the PTI chairman said. “People have realised that Nawaz Sharif needs to be held accountable to purge this country of corruption.”

Imran summoned to appear before ECP

Imran reiterated that his protest in the federal capital on November 2 won’t end unless the premier stepped down or returned the ‘looted money’ to the exchequer.

The government and the opposition parties have been unable to evolve joint Terms of Reference (ToR). While the government insists that investigation should involve all those named in corruption cases, opposition parties, mainly PTI says that it should begin with the assets of the premier’s family.

On May 13, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali declined government’s request to form a commission to investigate the leaks, saying legislation by the parliament as well as resolution of the ToRs issue needs to be resolved first.

 

[Danish saleem]

its great news,? so now what is requirement of closure of Islamabad?

 

[Hyde]

I think if CJ Chaudhry was still the CJ of Pakistan, he may have disqualified him (controversial but true statement in my opinion)

This fresh batch of Supreme Court Judges doesn't seem to be as powerful as was CJ Chaudhry so I would doubt if they are able to disqualify the sitting Prime Minister. I think he should have been disqualified long ago when he cannot justify a sinple fact that how he sold a property in 2005 to buy a property in 1990s using the same money then surely something is wrong with it

 

[The Eagle]

I think if CJ Chaudhry was still the CJ of Pakistan, he may have disqualified him (controversial but true statement in my opinion)

This fresh batch of Supreme Court Judges doesn't seem to be as powerful as was CJ Chaudhry so I would doubt if they are able to disqualify the sitting Prime Minister. I think he should have been disqualified long ago when he cannot justify a sinple fact that how he sold a property in 2005 to buy a property in 1990s using the same money then surely something is wrong with it

Sir, agreed and the delay in Choudhry's restoration by Zardari was actually a period of settlement and for the same, Iftikhar Sahib paid back well. Why? because, there were (still) some voices being heard in those times that Gilani was transforming into a bit more of a responsible PM than a Yes Sir tout in front of Zardari that being made sacrificial goat. Iftikhar played a major role to help Zardari to complete his tenure even after clear indication to be ousted but the routine Suo-moto actually killed the public and praised the government. Current High-Ups are actually a bit worried of self-respect that the game is getting dirtier than before due to low level politics practiced by corrupt lot and do not see any strong support for implantation or Orders however, a ray of hope is still there for the judges in respect of implementation and you know what I mean.

 

[Norwegian]

I think if CJ Chaudhry was still the CJ of Pakistan, he may have disqualified him (controversial but true statement in my opinion)

This fresh batch of Supreme Court Judges doesn't seem to be as powerful as was CJ Chaudhry so I would doubt if they are able to disqualify the sitting Prime Minister. I think he should have been disqualified long ago when he cannot justify a sinple fact that how he sold a property in 2005 to buy a property in 1990s using the same money then surely something is wrong with it

Exactly. Problem with Imran Khan is that he seems to misunderstand very concept of justice. Justice can only be provided in courts and not on the streets. I admire his passion for justice but he should do it by empowering judiciary through parliament.

 

[nomi007]

you cant expect justice in this country
so no need to worry

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

My next choice is "Chaudry Nisar" as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Hope monopoly ends.
Chaudhry Nisar deserves more than any member of PMLN.

 

[Jzaib]

its great news,? so now what is requirement of closure of Islamabad?

If u or ur party assure that decision would come in a month or two months or even six months . there would be no protest. Nawaz is know to buy judges and attack them . constant pressure must be build so nawaz doesn't do that

Exactly. Problem with Imran Khan is that he seems to misunderstand very concept of justice. Justice can only be provided in courts and not on the streets. I admire his passion for justice but he should do it by empowering judiciary through parliament.

U know a man was in news that after spending 19 years of his life in jail he got justice . courts cant investigate on institutions working for nawaz e.g police and IB can investigate .most recent example is how shahbaz used police and IB to get out of model town murder case

 

[mr42O]

No hope just topi drama by corrupt system

 

[GreenFalcon]

I hope this initiative doesn't hit a dead end like all other high profile cases before this

 

[Taxzu]

I think if CJ Chaudhry was still the CJ of Pakistan, he may have disqualified him (controversial but true statement in my opinion)

This fresh batch of Supreme Court Judges doesn't seem to be as powerful as was CJ Chaudhry so I would doubt if they are able to disqualify the sitting Prime Minister. I think he should have been disqualified long ago when he cannot justify a sinple fact that how he sold a property in 2005 to buy a property in 1990s using the same money then surely something is wrong with it

No. Iftikhar choudhry would have cleared him. Remember he was eyeing position in PMLn and some kind of reward for his services.