We have not done any wrongdoing, no evidence will be found: Hussain Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s elder son Hussain Nawaz on Tuesday said, after his appearance before the Joint Investigation Team, no evidence will be found against him and his family simply because none exists.

“I maintain what I had said from day one that they will find no evidence against me and family simply because it does not exist. There is no evidence against corruption, misuse of office, money laundering [against the Sharifs],” said Hussain after appearing for the sixth time before the JIT.

If any evidence is found against any member of my family then action should be taken, Hussain said, adding, that this case would not be allowed to turn into the 2000 plane high jacking case.

“As far as I can see they have no witnesses,” he said, adding that before proceeding with any illegal action, they should think twice that they can also end up in the docks in future.

Hussain said that his family has decided to fully cooperate with the team.

“Only two summons would have been enough for the kind of questions that were put up…but in respect the decision of the Supreme Court, we have been appearing before the team,” he said.

Earlier, Hussain reached the Federal Judicial Academy at 11am to appear once more before the JIT. He was accompanied by Prime Minister's Political Secretary Asif Kirmani and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz. 

Kirmani calls for recording of Qatari prince's statement

Talking to the media, Kirmani reiterated the importance of recording the Qatari prince’s statement by the JIT in its final report.

He also criticised the JIT for not sending the Qatari prince a questionnaire before his recording. “Is this not against justice,” he asked.

They are not sharing the complete facts with our main defence, he claimed, saying the JIT report will have no value without the Qatari prince’s statement. 

When asked to respond to reports that a JIT member will be proceeding to Doha on July 6 to record the prince's statement, he said "we will cross that bridge when we reach it".

Referring to Imran Khan’s tweet on Monday showing ruling party members celebrating the April 20 judgment, he said Imran had created an impression that the Supreme Court would disqualify the premier but the bench formed a JIT instead. "This is why the people celebrated," he explained. 

Security measures around the Federal Judicial Academy, where the JIT is based, were heightened in light of Hussain's appearance. 

The road from I-8 Interchange to the academy in Sector H-8 had also been closed off for traffic to keep a route clear for the premier's son. Islamabad Traffic Police also issued an alternative route plan for commuters. 

A number of supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had amassed at the academy ahead of Hussain's visit. 

This will be the sixth time the premier's elder son has been summoned by the JIT probing the Sharif family's assets in light of the Supreme Court's April 20 judgment.  

With the JIT's July 10 deadline approaching, the ongoing week has seen a flurry of activity concerning the high-profile probe, with the prime minister's cousin Tariq Shafi, younger son Hasan Nawaz and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar being summoned in the last two days and the premier's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, expected to appear on Wednesday. 

On Monday night, the Islamabad Police, responding to a JIT letter, appointed Special Branch SP Arsala Saleem to supervise security arrangements during Maryam’s visit. 

Hussain made his first appearance before the JIT on May 28, followed by May 30, June 1 and June 3. 

After Hussain’s picture was leaked to the media on June 3, the premier’s son petitioned the Supreme Court to stop video recording of JIT proceedings. However, on June 20, the Supreme Court’s special implementation bench dismissed the petition observing that recordings will only be used to maintain accuracy of transcripts.