Panamagate probe: Nawaz to appear before JIT today

Ruling party summons workers to Islamabad to show ‘support’ for the PM

ISLAMABAD: The ruling party has instructed its workers to reach the federal capital today (Thursday) in support of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is making his maiden appearance before the joint investigation team (JIT) probing Sharif family’s offshore properties in line with the apex court’s verdict in Panamagate case.

All eyes are on the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) at Islamabad Sector H-8/4 – turned temporarily into the JIT’s secretariat – where the PM is scheduled to show up at 11am to get his statement recorded.

The PML-N’s leadership has assigned the top office-bearers from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapters to assure maximum presence of the party workers near the FJA during the PM’s interrogation as an expression of ‘support and solidarity’ for Sharif, the party sources told The Express Tribune.



In this regard, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and PML-N’s K-P leaders – Amir Muqam and Murtaza Javed Abbasi – have been issued instructions to ensure attendance of party workers.

A leader from PML-N K-P chapter said the provincial chapter has been tasked to ensure workers presence in the federal capital on account of the K-P’s proximity to Islamabad.

The party workers from Hazara region are scheduled to reach Islamabad via Pirsohawa and Tarnol as well as Burhan-Islamabad Motorway on the evening of Wednesday and Thursday morning—before 11 am when the PM would be appearing before the inquiry panel.

The PML-N activists from Punjab chapter are directed to reach the federal capital via Murree Expressway, Lahore-Islamabad Motorway and Rawalpindi GT Road, the sources said.

The PML-N supporters would chant slogans in favour of Sharif and shower flower petals on him and his vehicles as soon as he reached the premises to get his statement recorded, the PML-N leaders said.

A source said the same strategy would be followed during the maiden appearance of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on June 17 (Saturday).



“It is expected that both Sharifs would speak to media either before or after their respective appearances before the JIT. The activists would stay outside the FJA till the completion of the interrogation of Sharifs on both the occasions,” he added.

When contacted, Rana Sanaullah was quick to deny that the party leadership instructed the PML-N activists to assemble at federal capital ahead of PM and CM Punjab’s appearances.

“This is not a party decision. However, if our party workers, loyalists and supporters show up at Islamabad out of love of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif— we can’t help it. There is no bar on anyone to assemble at any place. We can’t stop them.”

He said the workers were concerned about ‘repeated interrogations’ of the PM’s sons by the JIT and they wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Sharif family. “This does not mean we are going to take the law into our hands; the show would be peaceful,” he added.

A PML-N leader said the party’s show of strength during Sharif’s appearance is a tactic to counter pressure of the JIT whose earlier interrogations ruffled feathers of other members of the Sharif family.

The PM’s elder son Hussain Nawaz moved the Supreme Court for changing the JIT’s formation while Shari’s cousin Tariq Shafi moved the top court against what he described as his harassment by the JIT. Hussain again moved the SC against the leakage of his photograph during interrogation.



“To make sure that the premier does not face any unfavourable situation, we need to exert a bit of pressure on the JIT. We want to play it up that a leader of his stature has surrendered himself to accountability and the party members are emotionally supporting him,” he said.

Capital security

Meanwhile, the Islamabad administration has tightened security in view of the situation.

Millions of rupees are being spent by the civic authorities, especially the Capital Development Authority (CDA), on cosmetic measures such as cementing of roads and beautification of the PM’s route.

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have devised a special traffic plan. Three major connecting roads in the area leading to the FJA would be closed for traffic.

The ITP has created several alternative routes and diversion points while journalists covering the event have been asked to reach a designated point near Shifa Hospital not later than 7am.