Chief justice refuses to form Panama leaks commission on govt TORs

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali has refused the federal government's request to form a judicial commission to investigate the Panama leaks, saying it will take years to complete its proceedings with the provided Terms of Reference.

In a written response to a letter by the federal government on Friday, the chief justice raised a set of objections to the notification from the federal government.

The chief justice pointed out that the formation of a commission under the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956 would only “result in the constitution of a toothless commission, which will serve no useful purpose, except giving bad name to it”.

According to the written response, a copy of which was obtained by Geo News, the chief justice points out that the terms of reference "are so wide and open ended that, prima facie, it may take years together for the commission to conclude its proceedings".

"Therefore, before forming any opinion as to the formation of requisite commission of inquiry or otherwise, it is necessary to have the list of all individuals, families, groups, companies, etc, with their total number, along with some relevant particulars, against whom purported inquiry proceedings are to be held,” wrote the chief justice in his reply.

“Unless such information and particulars are provided and the issue of formation of Commission under some proper legislation is reconsidered and resolved, no final response to your letter can be furnished," he added in is reply.

Copy of letter by Chief Justice of Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had written a letter to the chief justice last month seeking the formation of the judicial commission to probe the issue of Panama Papers.

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) government has been facing immense pressure from opposition parties since the massive leak of tax data from Panamanian Law firm Mosack Fonseca.

The leaked data revealed offshore business interests of several world leaders, their friends and members of their families. Names of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's children also appeared in the data, stirring up a political storm in Pakistan.

Many other prominent Pakistani personalities have also been named in the revelations. The documents identify many business tycoons and politicians including late two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to have allegedly used tax havens.