No questionnaire to be provided before statement, JIT tells Qatari prince
The letter, a copy of which has been obtained by Geo News, mentions June 29 or 30 as possible dates the team could visit Doha
July 03, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The Panama Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had refused to provide the questionnaire Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani had asked for before recording his statement before the team, the letter written by JIT to the prince has revealed.
Sources told Geo News that Jasim had requested the JIT to provide a copy of the questionnaire.
“We are in receipt of your letter dated 11 June, 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 letter, dated June 22.
The letter, a copy of which has been obtained by Geo News, mentions June 29 or 30 as possible dates the team could visit Doha.
The JIT letter clarifies 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.
The JIT requests for confirmation of the dates by June 26 so that the team can make travel arrangments accordingly.
The statements will be recorded and no lawyer, accountant or anyone else would be present with the prince during the recording of the statement, the letter reads.
Geo News had reported on June 14 that JIT had received a second letter from Qatari Prince.
Sources had said that the detailed letter informed the JIT that the royal family member has no qualms if investigators visit him in 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 aiding the premier’s defence of his money trail during the Panama case hearing.
Sources in the premier’s inner circle had confirmed the contents and delivery of the letter and said the Qatari prince’s statement will help their case profoundly.
