Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Mian Muhammad Tariq Shafi, a cousin of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan and expressed reservations over the functioning of the Pamanagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

Earlier, the top court’s three-judge bench had expressed satisfaction over the progress report submitted by the JIT.

A Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader, requesting anonymity, told Daily Times that Mian Muhammad Tariq Shafi, the key figure in Gulf Steel Mills (GSM) case, had informed the Supreme Court Registrar about the discriminatory behavior of JIT members.

“He informed the top court about his objections over two members of the JIT,” the source said.

“The two members are: State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Grade 21 officer Amer Aziz and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) Executive Director Bilal Rasool,” the source said.

“He told the registrar that Aziz had worked under the Musharraf government. He had been tasked with conducting inquiries against the Sharif family,” the source said. “Likewise, Rasool is a close relative of former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, who is now a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),” the source said.

“Another objection on Rasool is that he has been an activist on social media accounts against the PML-N and the Sharif family,” the source said.

The JIT is empowered to summon the prime minister, his sons and others linked with the Sharif family.

The JIT has not yet interrogated the PM or his sons. However, according to reports, the JIT has interrogated Tariq Shafi.

Another party leader told Daily Times on the condition of anonymity that the PM’s sons were also considering challenging the procedure adopted by the JIT.

Earlier, PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry had told reporters that they had reservations over the JIT, which had been conveyed to the SC.

“The law is equal for all. The law for the PM, his sons should be the same as for any other citizen. The Sharif family should not be targeted,” he had said.

“The JIT has to keep in mind that both sons of the PM are non-residents. So, the decision for their appearance before the JIT will be made keeping in view their status,” Talal had said. When contacted, Supreme Court officials told Daily Times that they were bound by the observations of members of the SC implementation bench regarding secrecy.