Chief justice did not refuse to form judicial commission, say PM House sources

ISLAMABAD: Sources in the Prime Minister House on Friday confirmed receiving Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali’s letter, saying the top judge had not refused to form a judicial commission to probe the Panama leaks.

Sources at the PM House said the chief justice has neither refused to form the judicial commission nor has he asked for framing terms of reference (ToRs) with the consultation of opposition parties.

The chief justice said that for a limited scope of investigation, a list of individuals, families, companies, and groups should be specified, said the sources. The Supreme Court judge has also advised legislation for the investigation of the Panama papers, they said.

In a written response to a letter by the federal government today, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali raised a set of objections to the government notification seeking the constitution of the judicial commission.

According to a copy of the letter obtained by Geo News, 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".

The chief justice points out that the terms of reference provided by the government "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.

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

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.