Disqualifying PM on assumption would be a dangerous precedent: SC

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court (SC) has on Tuesday said that disqualifying Prime Minister on the basis of assumption over the contradictions in statements made by Nawaz Sharif in his address to the nation as well as the parliament would be a dangerous precedent. A five-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed hearing of the case. During the proceedings, PTI counsel Naeem Bukhari said that Hassan Nawaz’s 12 companies had 2 million Pounds in 2005, adding that these evidence deny the premier’s statement. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa admitted he should not have given an observation regarding Articles 62 and 63 of the constitution and took his words back at the start of the hearing today. He further remarked that the only way out is that the NAB chairman files an appeal in the court. Counsel of PTI Naeem Bukhar submitted before the court an investigative report formulated by FIA's ex-Deputy Director Rehman Malik. Justice Ejaz Afzal in his observations said that the report cannot be considered as evidence. He said the sanctity of the court needs to be maintained at all costs. Confronting the counsel, he said his arguments are presumptive. On the ownership of London flats, PTI’s Bukhari said that from the first day, they belonged to the Sharif family. Justice Khosa in his remarks said that he does not want to go into political matters. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said the court will go by the law and the constitution only. He said the apex court is a constitutional court and not a trial court. The court also reminded the counsel of PTI that the Panama case is restricted to London flats only. The PTI Counsel is expected to complete his arguments tomorrow. The court adjourned the hearing till Wednesday (tomorrow).