Every penny we've earned is accounted for, says PM after JIT appearance

ISLAMABAD: My family and I have presented ourselves for accountability, said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday after appearing before the Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for questioning. 

The premier's questioning drew to an end at around 2pm after he had spent approximately three hours in front of the high-profile probe team.

Speaking to the media outside the Federal Judicial Academy, he said “I have told the JIT my point of view.” All documents related to my assets, though already with the Supreme Court, have been provided to the JIT now, he added. 

Standing behind the dais outside the venue and reading a prepared speech, the premier said today is a milestone for the rule of law. He added that he has given an account for each penny earned by his family. “Is there any other family that has given such robust accountability of three of its generations?” he asked. 

The premier stressed that the assets under question are his family’s private assets and have nothing to do with public money. “This is worth noting,” he remarked. 

He claimed his first accountability started in 1972 when he had graduated from university, hinting at nationalisation of his family business by then prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. “Musharraf’s dictatorship also investigated us rigorously but had he found something he wouldn’t have had to lodge bogus hijacking cases against us,” he said.

“People have elected me for the third time and today in our own government we have presented ourselves for accountability,” he said, adding that “I’ve appeared here today because despite being a prime minister we are all accountable to the law.”

He also expressed hope that him and his family will be exonerated by the JIT and the Supreme Court.

Hitting out at his opponents, he said “Our opponents can continue to conspire and raise allegations, but they will not succeed.” The PM claimed that despite spearheading record development in the present government, his opponents have failed to even bring forth an accusation of corruption or kickbacks.

He said in a few days the JIT report will be made public along with the court’s decision, but we should remember a bigger JIT and a bigger court is going to be held soon. “That is the court and JIT of 20 million people,” he said, hinting at the general elections slated to be held next year.

“There is also God’s court in front of which we all have to appear,” he said, adding that I’m worried about that appearance all the time.

Addressing the media, he said “you’ll have a lot of questions I’m sure, and I have a lot to say but let’s leave that for another time.”

Behind the dais, he was accompanied by Hamza Shehbaz, Hassan Nawaz and Asif Kirmani, among others. 

Earlier, breaking established protocol, the prime minister reached the Federal Judicial Academy in a three-vehicle convoy — as opposed to his regular motorcade with several security vehicles — to appear before the JIT. The premier left in the same way that he arrived. 

On his arrival, he was accompanied by his brother Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, elder son Hussain Nawaz, Shehbaz's son MNA Hamza Shehbaz, son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar, political secretary Asif Kirmani and principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad, among other officials.

After a brief talk with his entourage, the premier went into the academy building alone to proceed to the investigation room where the JIT holds its questioning. The premier was also reportedly carrying some files with him when he went in.

Those accompanying him then exited the venue, reportedly leaving only Kirmani behind. 

Talking to Geo News, Kirmani said despite enjoying immunity from appearance, the PM did not use it. He said the PM has always respected the courts, adding that history has been made today.

Talking about the PM’s sons, Kirmani said they are not Pakistani residents but still appeared for questioning. 

Kirmani also clarified that the premier travelled to the academy in his private vehicles today. 

Several ministers and PML-N leaders were also outside the academy along with party workers.

Earlier, the PM chaired a high-level consultative session where the Punjab chief minister, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan were in attendance. 

After the meeting, the premier said “We have been held accountable in all tenures and even now, are ready for accountability,” according to sources. 

The PM also reportedly said that his opponents fail to realise that Pakistan matters most to him. “I don’t want anything to hamper the country’s progress,” he said, and also expressed his indifference about protocol and security. 

Later after appearing before the JIT, PM Nawaz chaired a high-level consultative meeting of the party members at the PM office. 

PM Nawaz said in the meeting that: "For the upliftment of democracy and strengthing the democratic institutions - I presented myself before the JIT."

The JIT is probing the premier’s family’s global money trail in light of the Supreme Court's April 20 judgment in the Panama Papers case. 

Extraordinary security arrangements have been put in place in and around the academy, where the JIT secretariat is based. 

The Islamabad Police, along with Rangers and other law enforcement personnel, had drawn up a special security and traffic plan for the premier’s visit. 

A total of 2,668 security personnel, including 400 from the FC and 180 from the Punjab Rangers, have been deployed for the event. A security cordon has been put in place around the building, with special entry for the media only.

The Islamabad Traffic Police on Wednesday also issued a special traffic plan, so citizens going in and out of Sector H-8 are not inconvenienced. 

However, once the PM arrived at the venue, the main Islamabad Expressway was blocked for traffic with vehicles lining up for several kilometres. 

Earlier, sources said the security staff of Prime Minister (PM) House completed a security sweep of the academy as well as the investigation room prior to the visit.

A bullet-proof dais has also been erected in front of the academy, where the premier is expected to address the media afterwards.

Sources also said that the PM House security staff, as well as the premier’s personal staff, will not be permitted to accompany the prime minister into the building. 

Earlier this week, the premier received a summons from the JIT over its high-profile probe in light of the Supreme Court’s April 20 verdict. 

In its summons, the JIT had asked the premier to bring "all relevant records, documents and material" with him.

Following the summons, the premier asked all his supporters and party workers to refrain from gathering at the academy during his appearance. 

However, despite the PM's 'request', a small contingent of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters managed to reach the academy "in love for their leader". Around a dozen women leaders and workers were also chanting slogans in favour of the PM ahead of his arrival. 

The probe so far

The Supreme Court began investigating Sharif late last year after the main political parties failed to agree on a committee to probe the Panama Papers leaks, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan threatened mass protests and to ‘shut down Islamabad’.

In its April 20 judgment, the five-member Supreme Court bench ruled that there was insufficient evidence to remove Sharif from office on the back of the Panama Papers leaks, but it ordered further investigations under a JIT.

The JIT team is headed by Federal Investigation Agency Additional Director Wajid Zia, and includes members from Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan and the National Accountability Bureau. 

Other summons

Previously, the PM’s elder son, Hussain, and younger son, Hassan, have appeared before the JIT five and two times, respectively.

The PM’s brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has also been summoned for questioning on June 17. Similarly, the PM's son-in-law, MNA Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar, has been summoned on June 24. 

Moreover, former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik is also expected to appear before the JIT on June 23.