ISLAMABAD: It was a tough day for the respondents, who allegedly have offshore links, in the Supreme Court. The top court took 40 minutes to conclude Thursday’s proceeding in Court No: 1, which was completely packed with legislators, lawyers, diplomats, journalists, staffers, common citizens and civil servants.
All eyes were glued on Salman Aslam Butt, Counsel for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children. The beautiful hall, decorated with thousands of books, was packed before the larger bench resumed the proceedings at scheduled time, 11:30am. The court’s watch struck promised time; worthy five judges took their chairs. Salman Butt took the rostrum to represent Respondent No: 1, Prime Minister of Pakistan. Hamid Khan, Counsel for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rashid started gazing at him. Standing a bit faraway, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, wearing white ‘shalwar and qamees’ with black upper, was also gazing at worthy judges and government legal team. Mr Butt informed the court that some of his clients needed more time to submit their written statements.
This argument prompted judges to pose volley of tough questions to Sharif family’s counsel who took 19 minutes to buy four days for submitting response of his clients — Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz.
Worthy judges solely focused on Sharif family’s alleged involvement in establishing offshore companies. Heated arguments continued. Media came under fire, anchorpersons in particular for giving diverse opinion on possible findings about this under trial case. Many could see apprehension of government team; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique were in much serious mood. Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Law and Justice and Ashtar Ausaf, Attorney General for Pakistan, were taking notes of proceeding when Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Shireen Mazari and Ejaz Chaudhry sighted in jubilant mood. But worthy judges were serious enough. “It’ll be one-member commission to be headed by Supreme Court judge —ToRs being finalized — any objection to maintainability of petition seeking probe in PanamaLeaks — general question posed to all the parties.”
Silence prevailed for a moment. No objection. But Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq spoke in a whisper. Suddenly a remark came from the government’s legal team, “We don’t raise question over maintainability of this petition — but court has to determine its own exercise of jurisdiction.” But a worthy judge responded quickly “Sary shehr main dhandhara peet rahi hain ky koi aitraz nahi — but yahan maintainability pey ap question karty hain.” Let’s pass an order on this matter first under Article 184/3 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The petition accepted for hearing, the top judge termed it a matter of human interest.
Again a tough call came up from two honourable judges who called spade a spade: “Butt Sb, furnish your clients’ response till Monday — or allegations leveled against them would be considered true.”
“My lord I’ll submit the response,” humble Butt promised. Judges then invited Hamid Khan for the arguments who requested the court not to give more time to Mr Butt’s clients who, according to him, failed to comply with their order. But judges asked him to submit his ToRs rather to respond his request. Government’s legal team continuously kept any eye on Hamid Khan who told the court that he wanted government to respond then they would look into it. Complete silence prevailed again, some judges whispered, then directed parties to submit their ToRs till Thursday evening.
Then Sheikh Rasheed thanked judges and submitted his ToRs while petitions of journalist Asad Kharral, a citizen Tariq Khokhar and a lawyer Kokab Iqbal to become a party in this case were rejected. Exactly at 12:10pm, SC adjourned the hearing till Monday and witnesses left the packed court which witnessed rude behaviour of MNA Danial Aziz with State Minister Tariq Fazl and PTI leader Naeemul Haq with Pakistan Awami Tahreek leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapur.
All eyes are on Monday now.