SC satisfied with JIT’s initial report

Orders investigators to follow deadline;
PTI petition for sharing of report rejected

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed satisfaction over the initial 15-day progress report, submitted to it by Wajid Zia, the head of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the Panama Papers case.

A three-member special bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, resumed hearing of the implementation case of Panama verdict.

Head of the JIT, Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Wajid Zia, submitted the sealed report relating to progress in the investigation so far made by the JIT. Members of the bench reviewed the report of the JIT.

The court remarked that it reviewed the progress report. During the course of proceedings, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, addressing the head of JIT Wajid Zia, said that he should keep in mind that the investigation be completed within 60 days. "We will not allow extra time under any circumstances," Justice Shiekh Azmat added.

PTI's counsel Fawad Chaudhry pleaded the bench to give the progress report of the JIT to them. The court rejected PTI's appeal for sharing the report with it. Justice Ejaz Afzal asked the PTI counsel to quote any section of CrPC supporting his plea for sharing the report. The bench declared that till the completion of the investigation, nothing would be made public or shared with anyone.

However, the bench said that the report will only be made public at a suitable time. Justice Azmat asked the JIT head to inform the bench if he had any issues with any department or anyone was not cooperating with him.

Justice Azmat Saeed said that the JIT was heading in the right direction, adding that they had confidence in the team. The next hearing will be held in two weeks, in line with the Supreme Court's order on the Panama Papers case.