SC issues notices to PM Nawaz, others over Panamagate petitions
Bench refuses to restrain PTI from holding protest in Islamabad on Nov 2
A file photo of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others over petitions seeking his disqualification on account of Panama Papers leaks.
On August 28, Hamid Khan and Naeem Bukhari filed a constitutional petition on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan. The petition sought disqualification of PM and members of his family for their alleged involvement in Panama Papers scandal.
Meanwhile, the three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali rejected Watan Party's plea not to form the commission to probing the leaks.
The bench also refused to pass an order for restraining the PTI hold a sit in [in the federal capital] on November 2. The Chief Justice observed that when the executive would fail to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, then the top court would intervene to protect their rights. The bench issued notices to all the respondents in the four petitioners. The case has been adjourned for two weeks.
PML-N intra-party elections mockery of democracy, says Imran
Earlier on Wednesday, the PM discussed with his close aides legal options the federal government can exercise in its defence at judicial and constitutional forums against allegations levelled in light of Panama leaks.
Notes were exchanged between the prime minister and his legal aides, including Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf, Law Minister Zahid Hamid and former AGP Salman Aslam Butt in deliberations that were kept low-key apparently in a bid to avoid media attention.
A strategy is also being chalked out to defend references and cases involving Panama leaks in the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court.
On the same day, Imran Khan said the premier is under a wrong impression about forming a government in 2018 because that day is too far. “Thousands of people will gather in Islamabad on November 2,” the PTI chairman said. “People have realised that Nawaz Sharif needs to be held accountable to purge this country of corruption.”
Imran summoned to appear before ECP
Imran reiterated that his protest in the federal capital on November 2 won’t end unless the premier stepped down or returned the ‘looted money’ to the exchequer.
The government and the opposition parties have been unable to evolve joint Terms of Reference (ToR). While the government insists that investigation should involve all those named in corruption cases, opposition parties, mainly PTI says that it should begin with the assets of the premier’s family.
On May 13, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali declined government’s request to form a commission to investigate the leaks, saying legislation by the parliament as well as resolution of the ToRs issue needs to be resolved first.
PM welcomes judicial proceedings
In his remarks after a notice was issued to him in the case, the PM said he felicitates the apex court. “I welcome Supreme Court’s proceedings [in the case] as I believe rule of law and transparency,” the premier said.
The PM, however, said it was better to wait for a verdict of the top instead of own decisions, apparently referring to PTI’s protest planned for Islamabad.
Nawaz pointed out that he had addressed the nation twice and provided a detailed stance in the National Assembly on Panama leaks.
"I accepted [PTI's] demand to form a judicial commission led by the Chief Justice but then a controversy was created over the terms of reference (ToRs), impeding a transparent and independent probe."
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others over petitions seeking his disqualification on account of Panama Papers leaks.
On August 28, Hamid Khan and Naeem Bukhari filed a constitutional petition on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson Imran Khan. The petition sought disqualification of PM and members of his family for their alleged involvement in Panama Papers scandal.
Meanwhile, the three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali rejected Watan Party's plea not to form the commission to probing the leaks.
The bench also refused to pass an order for restraining the PTI hold a sit in [in the federal capital] on November 2. The Chief Justice observed that when the executive would fail to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, then the top court would intervene to protect their rights. The bench issued notices to all the respondents in the four petitioners. The case has been adjourned for two weeks.
PML-N intra-party elections mockery of democracy, says Imran
Earlier on Wednesday, the PM discussed with his close aides legal options the federal government can exercise in its defence at judicial and constitutional forums against allegations levelled in light of Panama leaks.
Notes were exchanged between the prime minister and his legal aides, including Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf, Law Minister Zahid Hamid and former AGP Salman Aslam Butt in deliberations that were kept low-key apparently in a bid to avoid media attention.
A strategy is also being chalked out to defend references and cases involving Panama leaks in the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court.
On the same day, Imran Khan said the premier is under a wrong impression about forming a government in 2018 because that day is too far. “Thousands of people will gather in Islamabad on November 2,” the PTI chairman said. “People have realised that Nawaz Sharif needs to be held accountable to purge this country of corruption.”
Imran summoned to appear before ECP
Imran reiterated that his protest in the federal capital on November 2 won’t end unless the premier stepped down or returned the ‘looted money’ to the exchequer.
The government and the opposition parties have been unable to evolve joint Terms of Reference (ToR). While the government insists that investigation should involve all those named in corruption cases, opposition parties, mainly PTI says that it should begin with the assets of the premier’s family.
On May 13, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali declined government’s request to form a commission to investigate the leaks, saying legislation by the parliament as well as resolution of the ToRs issue needs to be resolved first.
PM welcomes judicial proceedings
In his remarks after a notice was issued to him in the case, the PM said he felicitates the apex court. “I welcome Supreme Court’s proceedings [in the case] as I believe rule of law and transparency,” the premier said.
The PM, however, said it was better to wait for a verdict of the top instead of own decisions, apparently referring to PTI’s protest planned for Islamabad.
Nawaz pointed out that he had addressed the nation twice and provided a detailed stance in the National Assembly on Panama leaks.
"I accepted [PTI's] demand to form a judicial commission led by the Chief Justice but then a controversy was created over the terms of reference (ToRs), impeding a transparent and independent probe."