Panama Leaks case: PM’s children say they are ‘independent’

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has been told by Hassan, Hussain and Maryam Nawaz, children of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, that they are not dependent on their father and are running their businesses as sole proprietors.

The apex court resumed the Panama Leaks case hearing today during which the children of the prime minister submitted their statements in the court.

It was stated that Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz have been living abroad for 16 and 22 years, respectively.

Maryam Nawaz is a tax payer and has been filing tax returns as required by the law, it added.

On the previous hearing, the apex court had given the children of PM Nawaz Sharif time till Monday to submit their statements, with the warning that if the statements were not submitted according to law, the accusations would be deemed true.

Sharif Family lawyer, Salman Aslam Butt on the last hearing had submitted a concise statement on behalf of Nawaz Sharif saying that the prime minister was not the owner of offshore properties, including Flat Nos 16, 16A, 17, 17A, situated at Avenfield House, Park Lane, London, (the properties) subject matter of Panama Papers.

Furthermore, it was contended that the prime minister was not the owner of (legal or beneficial) any of the offshore entities subject matter of Panama Papers and his name did not appear in the Panama Papers nor have any accusations been made against him in the said papers.

The statement also said none of the children of prime minister are his dependents nor any of them has been declared as his dependent in tax returns as well as the wealth statement filed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws with the nomination Election Commission in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law.

Various political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami, Awami Muslim League and Jamhoori Watan Party, and an individual Tariq Asad had moved the apex court against PM Nawaz Sharif and his family over various charges, including money-laundering, setting up of offshore companies illegally and non-declaration of their assets, etc.