PTI expects ‘happy ending’ of Panamagate case soon

Imran Khan says the case is almost decided after Wednesday’s proceedings

ISLAMABAD: After back-to-back admonishments by the top court’s judges during the previous two hearings, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership is optimistic now as it expects a ‘happy’ and imminent ending of the Panamagate case.

Reason for this renewed optimism is ‘satisfactory’ performance of their newly appointed lead counsel – Naeem Bokhari – on his debut on Wednesday. Bokhari was pretty quick in presenting to-the-point arguments before the five-judge bench of the Supreme Court.



His concise and incisive arguments appeared convincing enough to engender observations from honourable judges, who raised questions about credibility of Sharif family’s claimed money trail and their offshore businesses.



The proceedings provided the much-needed relief to the PTI and its leadership that faced criticism in media for its poor performance when it came to providing tangible proofs to back allegations they have levelled against the ruling family. Their legal team had failed to impress the bench during the last hearing.

Reprimanded in front of the bench and later in media, Hamid Khan – a senior Supreme Court lawyer – had declined to continue as the PTI’s lead counsel after Nov 17 hearing. His decision led to a weeklong bickering within the PTI over appointment of a new captain, before Bukhari’s name was finalised.

How would the new lead counsel perform was the question in the minds of media men, observers and almost everybody present in packed courtroom no 1 of the apex court on Wednesday. Wary of what he had seen his predecessor face in the last hearing, Bokhari gradually built up momentum.



Imran Khan – who was visibly perplexed and unsettled on the last hearing after judges snubbed Hamid Khan time and again for not producing something cogent to substantiate his client’s case – was happy on Wednesday as was evident from his expressions and gesticulations.

“His [Bokhari] memory is perfect. His arguments are incisive. He did not waste anyone’s time,” remarked the cricketer turned politician while talking to his colleagues later.

The top leaders of his party encircled him as the bench announced a brief break during the hearing. Bokhari joined them too and was warmly welcomed with accolades pouring in for him.

“You emphasised facts. Judges are well prepared for the case today,” Imran Khan was first to greet him. Shah Mehmood Qureshi was quick for a follow up felicitation, telling Bokhari; “Shah Ji very wonderful”.

As soon as approbation session was over, Imran had another task to perform. He was giving his team party-line they would toe while individually talking to media men and anchors during the tea break.



“Just tell them [media] that base of their [Sharif family’s] case has been blown. Qatari prince’s letter, Jeddah [business] and everything have been proven a blatant lie,” he instructed fellow comrades as they nodded in agreement.

The PTI leaders, especially Asad Umar, Arif Alvi and Shafqat Mehmood, would continue to express their joyous feelings on every single favourable observation by standing up from their seats, much like the enthusiastic fans watching a tense match.

During the hearing, impetuous Imran almost thrice left his chair and rushed to the rostrum to whisper something into the ear of Bokhari or his assistant.

After almost three-and-a-half-hours proceeding, the judges asked Bokhari how much more time he would take to conclude his arguments. “May be 35 minutes,” Bokhari would tell the court. Imran left his chair and rushed to the rostrum to ask Bokhari to request for another hearing.

Addressing a press conference later, Imran said Sharif family had not fathomed that the case would actually come to the court. “This case is almost decided after today’s proceedings,” he said.

“Nawaz Sharif lied to the nation, he lied to the National Assembly and he has lied in courts and behind these lies are billions of rupees of Pakistani taxpayers’ money stashed in companies abroad,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2016.