Panama Case: Ishaq Dar cannot be disqualified after becoming Approver - SC

ISLAMABAD: When the five-member larger bench resumed hearing of the Panama Case on Monday, as promised the details of all gifts received and the distribution of properties among the family members were submitted before the bench.

The counsel for Maryam Nawaz, Captain (retd) Safdar and Ishaq Dar then began presenting his arguments before the five member larger-bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

The hearing has been adjourned, to resume again tomorrow.

Ishaq Dar cannot be disqualified after becoming Approver: Counsel

Ishaq Dar’s counsel Shahid Hamid informed the apex court that references seeking to disqualify his client before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had been dismissed during an intra-court appeal.

According to the details presented before the court, Ishaq Dar had submitted a request to be pardoned before the NAB on 20th April 2000, which was approved by the Chairman NAB on the very next day.

On the 24th of April the NAB investigating officer had requested to record Dar’s statements which were duly recorded the following day before a magistrate.

Shahid Hamid informed the bench that the time to appeal against the court’s earlier ruling had expired, to which Justice Asif Khosa remarked that after Hamid has completed his arguments the bench will ask the Prosecutor General in this regard.

Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan remarked that after becoming Approver in the case an order to disqualify Ishaq Dar could not be given.

The bench demanded to know why the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) did not submit references against the Sharif family, and demanded the Attorney General of Pakistan to submit a written reply before the bench.

Nawaz Sharif has no connection with London flats: Raja 

Counsel for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, Salman Akram Raja began his arguments before the court a little before noon on Monday, informing the court that his case has three aspects and he would be arguing on all three.

He informed the court that Hussain Nawaz was the beneficial owner of the London flats, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had no connection with the London flats.

Raja argued before the court that the allegation against his client is that Hussain Nawaz is the front-man and the actual owner is Nawaz Sharif; to which Justice Ijaz Afzal remarked that Salman Akram Raja will have to prove that the assets were his client’s property and that Nawaz Sharif was not the owner of the said property.

Earlier on Friday, the bench had remarked that people were complaining the hearing was proceeding slowly, adding that the court was not subject to people’s wishes and would not be intimidated by anyone.

The case would be heard until all the requirements of justice were fulfilled, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had remarked. 

Shahid Hamid, in his arguments on Friday, had told the larger bench that Ishaq Dar had completely rejected the confessional statement regarding money laundering.

Hamid had added that Ishaq Dar had been forced to sign a pre-prepared confessional statement.

‘Sharifs are changing their statements’

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed, speaking to the media ahead of the hearing, claimed the Sharif family is changing its statements as the Panama case progresses.

“The Supreme Court will give a historical verdict based on justice,” he said.