Panamagate Case: JI counsel says PM should be disqualified for hiding assets

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court has on Friday resumed the hearing of Panamagate case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family. During the proceedings, presenting his arguments, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) counsel Taufeeq Asif said that the prime minister accepted the ownership of London flats in his speech. He said that the PM should be disqualified for hiding assets to which the court remarked that the question is when Nawaz Sharif bought those flats and whether he has any link with the flats. The court further remarked that they will not have to do anything if the premier had accepted the ownership. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa asked if the apex court can give declaration under 184 (3). Taufeeq Asif said that Nawaz Sharif accepted ownership of London flats from 1993 in his speech. When the counsel referred the bench to Article 248 of the constitution, the bench said the prime minister has not sought immunity under the article. In his remarks, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh said the case cannot built on mere assumptions and presumptions. He asked the counsel of Jamaat-e-Islami to present evidence in support of his allegations. Makhdoom Ali Khan, the counsel of the Prime Minister and Naeem Bukhari, the counsel of PTI has already concluded their submissions before the court. Earlier, the Supreme Court had on Wednesday said that there is contradiction between the speeches of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the statements submitted in the court. The prime minister’s lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan had said that money transfers between his client and children took place through proper banking channels. The court asked if the money was transferred through bank accounts then why any attested record was not submitted in the court. “You must have submitted documents in the court along with the reply,” he added. He submitted that Hussain Nawaz owns a genuine business in Saudi Arabia which is capable of generating funds. The counsel said that Hussain Nawaz sends money to his father as per the Saudi laws and banking channels. The court adjourned the hearing of Panama Case till Monday.