Panama Leaks: SC says Ishaq Dar cannot be disqualified

Author: Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Panama Leaks hearing resumed today led by a five-member bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

The counsel for Maryam Nawaz, Captain (r) Safdar and Ishaq Dar put forth their arguments. They provided the details of all gifts received and properties distributed among the family members to the bench.

Ishaq Dar’s counsel Shahid Hamid informed the court that references seeking the disqualification of his clients 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 NAB on 20th April 2000, which was approved by the NAB chairman the very next day.

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

Shahid Hamid informed the bench that the time to appeal against the court’s earlier ruling had expired. In response, Justice Asif Khosa remarked that after Hamid has completed his arguments, the bench will enquire the prosecutor general regarding this.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that after becoming approver in the case, an order to disqualify Ishaq Dar could not be given.

The bench also enquire why the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) failed to submit references against the Sharif family, and demanded the attorney general to submit a written reply before the bench.

The counsel for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, Salman Akram Raja, also began his arguments before the court. Raja informed the court that his case had 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 also argued before the court to refute the allegation against Hussain Nawaz that he was the front man while the actual owner was Nawaz Sharif. To this, 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.

Meanwhile, Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed, told media that the Sharif family was changing its statements as the Panama case progresses.

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