SC dismisses JI's petition in Panama scandal case

SC states matter has already been addressed in the past but uncertainty about status of other related cases.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court's constitutional bench has dismissed Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) petition seeking further investigations into the Panama Papers scandal, stating that the matter has already been addressed in the past.

During the hearing, Justice Musarat Hilali remarked that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had been formed in the specific case related to Panama, but she expressed uncertainty about the status of other related cases.

The Jamaat-e-Islami lawyer reiterated their position that other cases related to the scandal should also be investigated.

The Deputy Prosecutor of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) informed the court that no formal request had been made to NAB regarding further investigations.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail stated that NAB could take action on any information related to the case, while Justice Hilali noted that after recent amendments, NAB's powers had been reduced, and it could only act within the scope of the new laws.

Jamaat-e-Islami's lawyer continued to request that NAB be directed to investigate Panama, referencing the example of the JIT formed for the initial investigation.

Justice Ameenuddin Khan clarified that the court’s role was not to intervene in the specifics of past cases.

In response to a question by Justice Jamal Mandokhail, the Jamaat-e-Islami lawyer confirmed that the JIT in the Panama case had been established by the Supreme Court itself.

Justice Mandokhail advised that if Jamaat-e-Islami was dissatisfied with NAB's response, they should approach the High Court instead of the Supreme Court.

Previously on June 15, a division bench of the Supreme Court led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood posed nine questions for adjudication in the case pertaining to JI's petition seeking an investigation against 436 individuals named in Panama Papers for allegedly stashing their wealth in tax havens across the world through offshore companies.

In April 2016, the Panama Papers, a treasure trove of leaked documents, disclosed how thousands of people across the world had stashed their wealth in tax havens through offshore companies.

The papers included names of 436 Pakistanis including the family members of Nawaz Sharif.

Student Union Petition

In another case, the constitutional bench issued notices to the Attorney General and provincial advocate generals regarding the petition for the restoration of student unions.

The court also instructed the Registrar's office to resolve objections related to the petition and allow it to proceed for further hearing.

The five-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Ameenuddin Khan, is set to continue hearing both matters in due course.