Panamagate probe: Hussain complains of victimisation

PM’s son says he has been asked to appear for another round of questioning

ISLAMABAD: Appearing perturbed after another hours-long questioning by the joint investigation team (JIT) looking into the Panamagate case on Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz claimed the ongoing probe against him and his family was the latest example of a tradition of political victimisation that began during the tenure of Pakistan’s fifth premier.

“From the time of [prime minister] Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy to this day, politicians have always suffered from political victimisation,” he complained before reporters following his questioning, the third in five days.



Seemingly unhappy with the JIT interview, the prime minister’s scion said that it would be ‘okay’ if the investigation proceeds fairly and in accordance with law. “But if someone will not be fair, then it should be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court, public and media,” he said.

Hussain had earlier moved an application in the Supreme Court accusing two members of the JIT of impartiality and bias. However, the top court on Monday threw out the objections he raised and ruled out any change in the makeup of the probe panel.

On Thursday, Hussain reached the Federal Judicial Academy – the official secretariat of the JIT – around 10am. He had to wait for two hours before appearing before the probe team. He left the venue at around 4:25pm

Without mentioning a timeframe, Hussain said he had been asked to reappear for another questioning session in the coming days. No fresh summons has been issued to him though, he said.

“I am here after attending a long session with the JIT. I reached around 10am and now it’s 4:15pm. They made me wait for two hours,” Hussain told reporters. “[But] I will come as many times as they summon me.” To a question about his younger brother, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain said “he [Hasan] will also come Inshallah (Allah willing).”

“Whosoever is summoned will appear before the JIT. We have been answering their questions, as politicians are always held accountable and answerable,” Hussain said. He complained that his lawyer was not allowed to accompany him during the questioning.



To another question, Hussain claimed he did not know why he and his family were being investigated. “There is nothing new in the ongoing cases against us. Cases were also lodged against us during the tenure of military dictator Pervez Musharraf.”

When asked about difference between questioning during the Musharraf and now, Hussain said “They [Musharraf’s regime] used to question us in isolation with no permission to talk to our lawyers. We were not allowed to meet our children and our family. Today, this is not so. The situation is a little different this time around.”

About the investigation, Hussain said he answered all the questions the JIT members asked him. “You should ask them [JIT] if they were satisfied or not,” he added.

“But, I want to make it clear and there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that there exists no evidence of any irregularity or crime against the prime minister, me or my siblings. We committed no irregularity so it’s beyond question that they [JIT] will find any evidence,” the prime minister’s son said.

According to sources, Hussain has submitted almost all the documents about offshore firms and properties sought by the JIT. On Thursday he was questioned in light of the documents produced by him on Tuesday.

The JIT, meanwhile, has hired services of three officers of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to conduct a financial audit of the Sharifs’ properties.

SECP head Zafar Hijazi and Prime Minister Nawaz’s younger son Hasan Nawaz, who is currently in Pakistan, are expected to appear before the JIT today (Friday).