NewsJuly 28, 2017
Panama Verdict: Supreme Court outs Nawaz Sharif
LAHORE: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while ordering references in accountability court against him, his children and his son-in-law.
Following the verdict, former PM Nawaz decided to vacate his premiership. The cabinet stood dissolved after he stepped down.
The verdict was handed down unopposed by the original five-member bench that began hearing the Panama case back in January.
Headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, the bench consisted of the likes of Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed,Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.
The five-member bench also ordered references to be filed against Nawaz Sharif, his children and son-in-law among others within six weeks and asked for proceedings to be wrapped up under a period of six-months.
In a statement released on Friday, PM House spokesperson said, “Nawaz Sharif has resigned from his responsibilities as prime minister following the Supreme Court’s decision”.
Approximately 3000 security personnel had been given the task of maintaining security and discipline in and around the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) had also congregated near the Red Zone in anticipation of the verdict and constantly kept chanting against the opposing party.
This historic verdict was announced by honourable Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan in a packed court room.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier Nawaz Sharif had called on a meeting where the likes of Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair, National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq and Marvi Memon were said to be present in anticipation of the apex court’s decision.
Background
In April 2016, International Consortium of Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) published documents pertaining to tax evasions and shell companies of world’s elite, including Nawaz Sharif and his family.
The disclosure which saw many of the world leaders resign including Iceland’s PM Sigmundur Gunlaugss, took time to establish its rhetoric in Pakistan.
Then PM, Nawaz ordered establishment of a judicial committee and Terms of References (ToRs) to investigate the case over the course of the following months, facing wrath of opposition parties, leaders of whom alleged Nawaz of being complacent and confusing in his approach.
It was not until November, however, that Supreme Court (SC) intervened and took matters in its own hands. The case was further delayed till next year after Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali retired in December.
Early 2017 saw Sharif family submitting details of assets and proofs in their defence after which two out of five judges part of the SC bench issued dissenting notes stating the evidence was enough to disqualify Sharif whereas the other three members ruled for more investigation which resulted in formation of a Joint Investigation Commission (JIT).
The Sharif family, including Nawaz’s sons Hassan and Hussain, daughter Maryam, son-in-law Capt (retired) Safdar and Ishaq Dar, made multiple appearances before the JIT after which the team submitted its final report on July 10.
Timeline of JIT’s 60-day investigation:
April 26: SC receives names of officials for JIT
May 2: SC forms three-member implementation bench
May 5: SC forms JIT to probe PM’s assets
May 9: JIT begins inquiry into Sharifs’ assets Timeline of JIT’s 60-day investigation JIT presents preliminary report to SC
May 24: Questionnaires sent to PM, sons
May 28: Hussain Nawaz appears before JIT
May 29: SC dismisses Hussain Nawaz’s allegations against JIT
May 30: Hussain Nawaz appears before JIT for the second time
June 2: Hassan Nawaz grilled for seven hours
June 3: PM’s elder son quizzed for the fourth time
June 4: CCTV photograph of Hussain Nawaz at the FJA is ‘leaked’
June 5: JIT examines former Qatari premier’s letter
June 7: JIT informs SC of hurdles in work
June 12: Record tampering issue surfaces
June 13: JIT submits report to SC on obstructions to its work
June 15: PM is questioned by the JIT
June 17: Shahbaz Sharif questioned by JIT
June 19: Apex bench criticizes IB; asks FIA to investigate SECP
June 29: NAB’s first chief appears before the JIT
June 30: SECP chairman distances himself from allegations
July 3: Dar, Hassan Nawaz appear before JIT
July 5: Maryam Nawaz appears before the JIT
July 7: Former Qatari premier asks JIT to question him
July 8: PML-N says will reject JIT report without Qatari prince’s statement
July 10: JIT submits final report to SC
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
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