SC wants final report of JIT on July 10

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday took an exception to defiance shown by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in providing record to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the Panama case. The court also ordered to provide the name of the official who leaked the picture of Hussain Nawaz to the attorney general.

Wajid Zia, head of the JIT, submitted the third and second-last progress report to the SC Special Bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsen.

The judges went through the JIT report for some time and directed it to submit its final report on July 10.When Justice Ahsen asked Zia whether the government departments were cooperating with the probe team, he said the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) provided some record, but the Federal Board of Revenue was yet to do so. He informed the court they had asked the FBR three times to provide the record, but it said the record was not available. When the court asked the JIT head whether he had asked the FBR for a specific record, he replied in affirmative.

It’s shocking that the FBR was not cooperating with the JIT, Justice Khan remarked, adding that it was a clear defiance by the institution.Attorney General Ashter Ausaf, however, told the court if the JIT shared with him the list of documents it sought, he would find them out. “You have to find out whether the relevant record was lost, stolen or hidden by the institution,” Justice Saeed asked the AG.

“The departments were required to cooperate with the JIT in pursuance of the court order,” Justice Ahsen observed. “This is very disturbing and strange that we ask you to look into the matter, otherwise it is the responsibility of the departments to do their job and comply with court directives,” he remarked.

Justice Saeed observed that  “foot-dragging” would not go in favour of the ruling family. “No foot-dragging. We are at the last stretch of the investigation. Our patience is running out,” he said to the AG who submitted that the FBR chairman should be summoned to answer the court queries. However, he said the department maintained its record for a particular period. He assured the court that the record available would be soon provided to the JIT.

Justice Ahsen observed that they could summon the FBR chairman if he was not cooperating with the JIT.PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry stood and informed the court that the FIA, FBR and SECP chiefs hadcomply with court directives,” he remarked.

Justice Saeed observed that “foot-dragging” would not go in favour of the ruling family. “No foot-dragging. We are at the last scratch of the investigation. Our patience is running out,” he said to the AG who submitted that the FBR chairman should be summoned to answer the court queries. However, he said the department maintained its record for a particular period. He assured the court that the record available would soon be provided to the JIT.

Justice Ahsen observed that they could summon the FBR chairman if he was not cooperating with the JIT. PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry stood and informed the court that the FIA, FFR and SECP chiefs had been given extension and were working as acting heads.

Justice Ahsen, in a lighter tone, observed that the officials were acting well and could be recommended for Oscars. Zia informed the court that the probe body did not reveal the name of the person who leaked Hussain Nawaz’s picture for security reasons.

Justice Khan asked the attorney general whether he or the government had any reservations on the disclosure of the identity of the person. He observed that the AG had a better sense of security concerns and if he did not have an objection to disclosing the person’s name, the JIT should have no issue.

Meanwhile, the court directed the JIT to provide the AG with a list of all records required from the FBR by today (Friday). The court expressed satisfaction over the pace of work of the JIT and termed it in the right direction. The court directed the JIT to submit its final report on July 10. Justice Ahsen asked Zia to file a separate application if he faced any difficulty in discharging his task.