Panamagate case: PM’s family appoints Khawaja Haris for legal assistance

Supreme Court directs Premier Nawaz and both his sons to appear before the JIT during the investigation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family has contacted senior lawyer Khawaja Haris to provide them legal assistance before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which is probing their offshore properties in the wake of the top court’s April 20 judgment on the Panamagate case.

Sources told The Express Tribune on Saturday that the Sharif family had already sought legal advice from Haris to finalise their strategy in view of the apex court’s verdict. Now, the family has again approached him to assist them before the JIT which will formally start its work on Monday (tomorrow).

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, directed Premier Sharif and both his sons to appear before the JIT during the investigation.



According to the sources, Haris and other legal team members will hold a meeting soon to evolve a final strategy of the case. During the meeting, they will also decide whether or not to file a review petition against Panamagate case verdict.

A senior PML-N leader confirmed that Haris, who has vast experience in handling white collar crime cases, will assist the family members before the JIT.

He further informed that PM’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan, who is one of the top jurists on constitutional issues, has also recommended the family to get assistance from Haris before the JIT as he will be the best choice for the purpose.

It is also learnt that the Sharif family’s legal team could not reach a consensus over filing a review petition against observations of a few judges in the Panamagate judgment.

PML-N wants special oath for JIT members

Barrister Danyal Chaudhry – son of PML-N Senator Chaudhry Tanvir –  has approached the top court, with a request that a special oath be solemnised to the JIT members that they would work without being influenced.



He pleaded to the apex court to refrain PTI chief Imran Khan from influencing the JIT probing offshore businesses of the Sharif family.

The PTI chief and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) have been named as respondents in the petition.

The petitioner, under Article-184 (3) of the Constitution, asked the Supreme Court that a special oath be solemnised to the JIT members that they would complete their task of settling the infamous Panamagate scandal independently without being influenced by Khan’s speeches and other material of similar nature broadcasted on this behalf.

Barrister Chaudhry, in his petition, has expressed apprehension that if Khan was not stopped from delivering speeches, it would derail the democratic process in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2017.