Nawaz Sharif deliberately concealed his assets: SC detailed judgment

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan of the Supreme Court, in the detailed judgment on the review petitions against Panama Leaks verdict, has observed that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had deliberately concealed his assets. According to the judgment, Nawaz Sharif had also told a lie in the affidavit submitted along with his nomination papers. He continued to get his salary from FZE Company for six and a half years. Moreover, the facts about disqualification of Nawaz Sharif were uncontroversial. The court observed no mistake was pointed out in Panama Leaks verdict, which could be reviewed. Nawaz Sharif deliberately submitted a fake affidavit with the nomination papers, which cannot be ignored. It is legal responsibility of the candidate to disclose all assets in the nomination papers. In the verdict, it has been ruled that Nawaz Sharif has been in politics and business since 80s. It is unacceptable that Nawaz Sharif does not know the basic principle of accounting. The six and a half years salary from FZE Company was an asset. The company had to pay the salary and Nawaz Sharif was its employee. Hence it cannot be accepted that the mistake in the assets was made unintentionally and accidentally. It has also been stated that Nawaz Sharif was given full opportunity to give his stance and his counsel presented the arguments for two days. The court did not agree that the salary not withdrawn was not Nawaz Sharif’s asset. The matter of disqualification was carefully reviewed. Moreover, the verdict states that Maryam Nawaz is a beneficial owner of the London flats. It cannot be stated that Capt (retd) Safdar has no link with the flats. About the appointment of a supervisory judge, the SC verdict said that the appointment is not a new thing. “The objective of the appointment is to stop carelessness.” It cannot be perceived the supervisory judge will affect the trial.