SC gives PM’s children last chance to submit replies in Panama Leaks case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has directed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's children – Maryam Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz – to submit their replies by Monday as it resumed hearing of the Panama Leaks case.

The prime minister's lawyer Salman Aslam Butt submitted his written reply in the court today, stating that Sharif did not own any offshore companies and flats. The reply added that the prime minister's name was not mentioned in the Panama Papers and he regularly submits his asset details in the Election Commission and tax returns to the Federal Board of Revenue.

A five-member larger bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali conducted hearing of the case.

The court was irked when the Sharif family lawyer said that replies had yet to be received from Hassan, Hussain, Maryam Nawaz.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that if the replies are not submitted, the court would accept allegations against the prime minister's children. "Can you give a written statement that Maryam Nawaz is not under guardianship of the prime minister?" he said.

The court adjourned the session till Monday, 9:00 AM and directed that the prime minister's children submit their replies in the next hearing.

The court order available with Geo News states that the apex court is giving the prime minister's children the last chance to submit their replies. It also directed that all parties should submit their Terms of Reference (ToRs) today.

A single member commission, comprising a sitting judge of the apex court will be constituted to probe the Panama Leaks.

PTI submits its ToRs

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf submitted its ToRs in the Supreme Court. In its ToRs, the PTI raised the issue of Mayfair Flats.

"How did Maryam Nawaz become the sole proprietor of the Mayfair Apartments? The flats are owned by Nescol Ltd and Nelson Enterprise companies. The court should find out when these companies were created," the ToRs question.

"When was the Mayfair flat no. 17 bought in 1993 and at what cost? How were funds transferred from Pakistan?" the ToRs ask.

"All four flats were bought between 1993 and 1996. In that case did the Prime Minister lie in the National Assembly about buying the flats for $17 million after selling Azizia Mill? In that case the Prime Minister is neither truthful nor trustworthy," the ToRs add.

Sheikh Rasheed submits ToRs

Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed submitted his Terms of Reference (ToR) in the court where he said that details of the prime minister’s assets and source of income from 1985 till 2016 should be investigated. "How did the prime minister manage to transfer his assets abroad?" the ToRs ask.

The ToRs also demand to know the details of tax returns, foreign investment and income.

PM is trying to escape accountability, Imran claims

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Speaking to journalists outside the court after the hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said that the prime minister was asking for more time from the court for no reason.

“The prime minister did not submit reply for his children. The nation is watching. Seven months have gone by and when the Panama Case is being heard he is not cooperating,” he said.

He alleged that the prime minister through the attorney general had challenged the SC powers to hear a case against him. “Why should the attorney general protect the interests of a corrupt ruler?”

He said he was happy that the SC had taken up this case. “When the judgement comes people will know whether we were spreading chaos or not.”

Will respect the decision of the SC: Khawaja Asif

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Speaking to journalists outside the court, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the Prime Minister had submitted his reply in the court.

He added that court has said that the commission will give out its decision soon. "The SC has hinted towards a single-member commission."

He said that 'some groups' were trying to spread chaos in the country and he was glad that the SC had acted against them. "We will abide by the SC decision," he said.

PAT, PTI squabble breaks out

Eaelier outside the court a squabble broke out between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf information secretary Naeem-ul-Haque and Pakistan Awami Tehreek member Khurram Nawaz Gandapur.

“This man is using abusive words,” Naeem-ul-Haque said.

To this Sheikh Rasheed asked the two to stay quiet as everything was being caught on live camera. Later the PAT member Gandapur was removed from the rostrum.

Gandapur told Geo News that Naeem-ul-Haque had pushed him and said, “Move, our king is coming,” referring to PTI chief Imran Khan.