Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing Sharifs’ wealth on Monday informed the top court that the Sharif family was committing forgery, tampering and changing the records throughout the interrogation process.

JIT head Wajid Zia appeared before a three-judge implementation bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, which took up the case for hearing.

Wajid Zia submitted a thick book of details regarding “hurdles and impediments” faced by JIT during the interrogation of the Sharif family’s wealth under the Supreme Court’s judgement of April 20.

“The JIT has alleged that certain institutions are altering records. Even forgery has been carried out,” observed Justice Ijazul Ahsan, member of the bench, adding that there were serious allegations levelled by the JIT in its application.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, another member of the bench, observed that this application, submitted by JIT, would have far-reaching consequences.

The bench also expressed its concern that the JIT would not be able to complete the investigation within the timeframe, the 60-days, if obstacles were created in its way.

On the instant application, the implementation bench directed the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) to submit its reply on the next date of hearing, which is fixed for June 14 (tomorrow).

Justice Saeed told law officer Rana Waqar, who was present during the course of the hearing on behalf of the AGP, that the court expected him to be the law officer, adding, “You are representing the federation, not the government.”

The JIT also filed its reply over the application of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz regarding leaking of his photo during the probe.

The JIT denied the allegations that the team had deliberately leaked the photo. The JIT termed the allegation “part of the campaign” of character assassination of the team members.

The JIT, however, informed the bench that an inquiry had been made and within 24 hours it had identified the culprit, removed him from duty and reverted him to his parent department. “The department has confirmed that the departmental inquiry has been completed and appropriate disciplinary action taken against the individual,” it added.