ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, heard Hanif Abbasi’s petition, pertaining to the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Jahangir Tareen. Defense lawyer Sikandar Bashir presented Tareen’s written statement in the court. He told the SC that the election form only asked about the details of proprietary land, while his client hid nothing in the nomination papers. “For instance, some person does not own any personal agricultural land, but has an income of Rs 10 billion from a land taken on lease. What will the person then write in the election form?” asked CJ Saqib Nisar. The lawyer replied that nothing would be then written in the form. “Our stance is that tax was paid by the first owner from whom the land was bought on lease,” he said. The chief justice remarked that Jahangir Tareen had received the income of the leased land. “As per the law, every agricultural earner is liable to pay the tax. Therefore, Tareen should have paid five percent tax on the income,” he said. Sikandar Bashir argued that Provincial Agricultural Tax Authority had approved Jahangir Tareen’s tax statements and they could not be reopened now. “The question before us is about the honesty of Jahangir Tareen which describes the conduct of a person,” said the CJP. “Honesty will be proved when the relevant forum will declare verdict against Tareen. The court should let the forum announce decision first over the tax issues,” the lawyer said. Justice Umer Ata Bandial said: “For instance, if agricultural tax is applicable on land bought on lease, then what will happen if it is not paid?” Tareen’s lawyer maintained that his client could not be disqualified in this situation as he had not lied anywhere. The chief justice expressed dissatisfaction over the argument that the owner could not pay tax over leased land. Hanif Abbasi’s lawyer said: “Jahangir Tareen’s dishonesty is obvious from day one. No record of deficit or finance department has yet been submitted in the court. Money laundering has been committed by Jahangir Tareen through lease agreements.” Published in Daily Times, October 13th 2017.