CJP forms larger bench to hear Panamagate petitions

SC will hear multiple petitions against Nawaz, others in Panama Leaks case on November 1

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali on Friday formed a larger bench to hear multiple petitions in the Panama Papers leaks case on November 1.

A five-member bench headed by CJP Jamali will include Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Ijaz Ahsan and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain.



Legal experts believe that the top court’s next hearing will be significant as it will determine whether it can intervene in the matter or not. AGP Ashtar Ausaf Ali claimed that the court will decide the maintainability of these petitions on November 1. The government’s legal team has already started its preparation of the case.

Former AGP Salman Aslam Butt is likely to represent Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the apex court.

Last week, the Supreme Court said it will hear multiple petitions in the Panama Papers leaks case on November 1, a day before Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned mass protest in Islamabad.

The apex court asked the premier, his family and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to submit their response to the notices issued before November 1.



Earlier, the apex court issued notices to PM Nawaz and others in as many as four petitions seeking his disqualification on account of Panama Papers leaks. The court refused to pass an order for restraining the PTI hold a sit in in Islamabad on November 2.

During the proceedings, 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 was adjourned for two weeks.

On May 13, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali declined the 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.