PTI fails to get objectives

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s attempt to get ‘instant justice’ – disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif – from the Supreme Court failed as the matter was referred to a committee for further investigation against his stand that a judicial commission should not be formed for this purpose.

Apparently, the job of the five-member bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa came to an end with the handing down of its judgments, one by the three judges, and the other by two dissenting justices.

The ruling requested Chief Justice Saqib Nisar to constitute a special bench to ensure implementation of this judgment so that the investigation into the allegations may not be left in a blind alley. 

Imran Khan has always agitated that no transparent and honest investigation was possible in the presence of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. But the six-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) as ordered by the court will look into the accusations while Nawaz Sharif will continue to be the premier.

The JIT will comprise four representatives of the civilian institutions and two officials of the premier intelligence agencies. Imran Khan has always expressed lack of confidence in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and has been severely attacking their top guns, hurling countless wild accusations over them.

However, the JIT will consist of the officials of these very institutions -- FIA, NAB, SECP and SBP. Two seasoned officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence will be nominated by their chiefs for the JIT.

Apart from the creation of this JIT by the top court, the present government has frequently constituted such committees to look into high profile cases like the Model Town Lahore tragedy etc. The administration has always been willing to establish such JITs. These forums are given a specific mandate to perform certain functions. In the instant case, the apex court asked the JIT to investigate questions how did Gulf Steel Mill come into being; what led to its sale; what happened to its liabilities; where did its sale proceeds end up; how did they reach Jeddah, Qatar and the U.K.; whether respondents Hussain and Hassan in view of their tender ages had the means in the early nineties to possess and purchase the flats; whether sudden appearance of the letters of Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani is a myth or a reality; how bearer shares crystallized into the flats; who, in fact, is the real and beneficial owner of M/s Nielsen Enterprises Limited and Nescoll Limited, how did Hill Metal Establishment come into existence; where did the money for Flagship Investment Limited and other companies set up/taken over by Hassan come from, and where did the working capital for such companies come from and where do the huge sums running into millions gifted by Hussain to the prime minister drop in from, which go to the heart of the matter and need to be answered. Therefore, a thorough investigation in this behalf is required.

The JIT shall investigate the case and collect evidence, if any, showing that Nawaz Sharif or any of his dependents or benamidars owns, possesses or has acquired assets or any interest therein disproportionate to his known means of income. The premier, Hussain and Hassan are directed to appear and associate themselves with the JIT as and when required. The JIT may also examine the evidence and material, if any, already available with the FIA and NAB relating to or having any nexus with the possession or acquisition of the London flats or any other assets or pecuniary resources and their origin.

The bench held that upon receipt of the reports, periodic or final of the JIT, as the case may be, the matter of disqualification of the prime minister shall be considered. If found necessary for passing an appropriate order in this behalf, Nawaz Sharif or any other person may be summoned and examined.