Text of statement PM read out before JIT

ISLAMABAD: In his statement before the JIT, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif read out a statement that he had prepared in consultation with his legal team to ensure that he remains distanced from family’s foreign businesses and properties including offshore companies.

Sources said that the following is the statement that the premier read out before the JIT: “As per paragraph 3 of the Order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, dated 20 April 2017, the Joint Investigation Team has been tasked to investigate the case and collect any available evidence showing, inter alia, if I own, possess or have acquired assets, or any interest therein disproportionate to my known means of income.

The assets that I own, possess or have acquired are, in their entirety, reflected in my income tax returns and wealth reconciliation statements. Similarly, the means by which I have come to own, possess or acquire such assets are reflected by way of entries in my income tax returns and wealth reconciliation statements.

My income tax returns and wealth reconciliation statements conclusively establish that the assets owned, possessed and acquired by me are not disproportionate to my known means of income.

Initially, I had been a shareholder and/or director in one or more companies established by my late father in Pakistan. However, for approximately three decades, I have not been a director in any of those companies. In any case, I have not been actively involved in the business of any of those companies since the year 1985.

I have brought with me, copies of my income tax returns and wealth statements for the years 1985-1999 and 2009 to 2016, which I hereby produce. As I was not resident in Pakistan from 2000 to 2008, I did not file any income tax returns and/or wealth reconciliation statements for these years.

I do not own or possess, nor have acquired any assets or interests therein other than those mentioned in my income tax returns and wealth reconciliation statements. In particular, I have neither owned nor held any beneficial interest in Gulf Steel Mills, Al Azizia Steel, Flagship Investments (Private) Limited, Hills Metals or Apartments No 16, 16A, 17 and 17A Avenfield House, 118 Park Lane, London, United Kingdom or any other foreign company, including Nielsen Enterprises Limited and Nescoll Limited. I was not involved in any transaction by virtue of which the aforementioned companies or Apartments were acquired by their respective owners.

I was also never involved in the running or operation of any of the foreign companies mentioned above. I have been actively involved in politics since 1981 and have devoted my entire life to my occupation as a politician.”