PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which recently expressed reservations over what it termed the ‘settlement’ of the Dawn Leaks issue between the government and army, took this decision fearing ‘a similar outcome of Panamagate JIT investigation’.
The party’s spokesperson said that although the JIT was required to inform about its progress to the three-judge implementation bench of the apex court on a fortnightly basis, PTI would request the court to direct it to issue an official hand-out every day, detailing its progress if making public hearings was not possible under the law.
JIT summons Hudaibya Paper Mills scam record
PTI would file a written request in this regard on May 22, when a special bench constituted for the implementation of the SC order would resume its hearing.
A few days ago, PTI called for open hearings of the JIT but learnt that rules did not provide for it.
Another major opposition party, PPP, also endorsed PTI’s demand, but said that it was only possible if relevant rules were amended.
Panamagate: JIT holds first informal meeting
“PTI believes that progress made by JIT over the past week is pathetically slow given that it is required to submit a report within 60 days,” PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry told The Express Tribune.
He cited media reports, saying that it had been learnt that the JIT had asked the prime minister and his son-in-law to submit the assets declarations filed with the ECP and the record of Hudaibya Paper Mills scam from NAB.
“All of this is already part of the court’s record. It is nothing new and we cannot call this progress,” Chaudhry said, adding that his party believed that JIT had 'wasted the first week of investigations'.
Army to play ‘due role’ in JIT
He said although the SC had framed ToRs for the JIT investigation, the JIT itself had yet to devise its working ToRs.
JIT proceedings
On Friday, the six-member JIT during its fifth consecutive meeting here at the Federal Judicial Academy, sought relevant record from various ministries and departments.
Also on Friday, the JIT sent a letter to the FBR for submitting detailed and certified tax returns of the prime minister.
It also decided to contact the Foreign Office to obtain certified copies of the Sharif family’s properties in London and the record of their offshore companies from foreign countries.
SC names special Panamagate bench
A source privy to these developments said that the JIT also deliberated upon a proposed questionnaire, which would be sent to individuals named in the case, including the Qatari prince and the PM’s cousin, Tariq Shafi.
Once finalised, this questionnaire would be dispatched via the ministry of foreign affairs and Pakistani missions abroad. The questionnaire is likely to be delivered next week.
The ECP also submitted asset statements filed by the PM and his son-in-law for the period between 2013 and 2016.
Meanwhile, the FIA also submitted a panel of its five experts in white-collar crimes who would help assist the JIT.
JIT would later pick one or two of these experts.
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