SC seeks final JIT report by July 10

FBR not providing full details of ruling family’s wealth record, says JIT chief

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court directed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Thursday to submit its final fortnightly report on July 10.

The three-judge special bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, expressed confidence that the JIT would complete its investigation within its deadline, besides observing that the investigation was going on in the right direction.

JIT was given 60 days to complete its probe, which would end on July 7.

Meanwhile, JIT head Wajid Zia told the Supreme Court that the man who leaked Hussain Nawaz’s photo on social media had not been disclosed because of security concerns.

The bench asked him if the Attorney-General did not have any objection over the disclosure of the person’s name. It remarked that the attorney-general was more aware of security concerns.

Later, the attorney-general was directed to submit a written response if the government had any reservations regarding disclosing the suspect’s identity.



The court also made it clear that Hussain’s plea for setting up an independent commission was yet to be decided. The panel, it is learnt, would either be headed by a retired or a serving judge of the apex court.

During the hearing on Thursday, the JIT head along with other five members appeared before the bench and submitted their third progress report.

The judges went through the classified reports for 10 minutes and then asked the JIT head whether they got relevant record from the SECP and FBR.

Wajid Zia submitted that although the SECP provided some record, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was not providing full details of the ruling family’s wealth record.

He said they had written three letters to the FBR, asking if the record had not been submitted by the Sharifs or if it had been stolen from the FBR office, but the board was yet to respond.

Expressing serious concern, the bench observed that it clearly showed that the institution concerned was defying the court orders.



“Does this mean the record was stolen?” asked Justice Ijazul Ahsan, observing that the court might summon the FBR chief if relevant record was not provided.

He also observed that such ‘foot-dragging’ would not work in favour of the ruling family.

When Attorney-General Ashtar Ausaf stated that JIT should provide a list of required documents so that he could take up this issue with the relevant department, Justice Ijazul Ahsen observed that this was not acceptable as no department was cooperating with the JIT, adding that all government departments were bound to cooperate with the JIT to comply with the court order.

Another member of the bench, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh remarked that such unnecessary delays were unacceptable.

The bench later asked the JIT chief to submit a complete list of documents not being provided by the FBR.

However, Attorney-General Ashtar Ausaf Ali assured the bench that JIT would soon be provided with the available record.

During the hearing, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry pointed out to the bench that presently, acting chairman FBR, DGs IB and FIA are working.

Upon this, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsen in lighter vein said that they are acting very well.

Another judge Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh also remarked that their names should be recommended for Oscar Award.