Countdown begins for Imran: We want to know if offshore companies created through illegal money, says CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar observed on Thursday that they wanted to know if the offshore companies were created through illegal money.

He made this observation while heading a three-member bench of the apex court hearing PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi’s petition seeking disqualification of PTI chief Imran Khan and his secretary General Jehangir Tareen for their alleged tax evasion.

The Supreme Court (SC) sought details pertaining to financial source on the basis of which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had purchased an apartment in London in 1983 as well as details regarding the mode of payment for the purchase of the said flat.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that a question had been raised before the court pertaining to the honesty of a person, holding public office. He said that the court wanted to go in depth to ascertain the source of income which enabled Imran Khan to purchase the London flat.

Naeem Bokhari, counsel for Imran Khan, contended that his client accepted the ownership of this flat. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, counsel for Hanif Abbasi, however, contended that the matter pertained to fraud and everything came under fraud, adding that there was a need to look into the interpretation of Sadiq and Ameen as well.

He further said that in this respect, he had consulted many books. The CJ, however, observed that the court was looking into the matter as to whether Imran Khan himself paid the amount for the purchase of the said flat.

Akram Sheikh contended that the learned counsel for the respondent (Imran Khan) was submitting documentary evidence ‘piecemeal’ to establish the money trail of his London flat and Banigala land and if it continued, how he would be able to rebut the plea.

At this, the CJ asked Naeem Bokhari as to when he would be able to submit all the relevant documents. Naeem Bokhari submitted that the counsel for the petitioner was raising questions about the tax amnesty scheme, availed himself by his client.

The counsel retorted if availing the Amnesty Scheme was dishonesty, everyone who benefited from the scheme should be equally treated.The CJ observed that the court wanted to know if Imran Khan did not disclose his offshore company and London flat from 1983 to 2000, whether the relevant law would be applied to it.

Justice Umar Ata Bandyal, another member of the bench, observed if Imran Khan was the real owner of the flat, its purchase receipt should be submitted before the court. Naeem Bokhari, however, replied that the flat was purchased for 117,000 sterling pounds and its documents would be provided to the court but he recalled that the petitioner had not made any request in this regard.

The CJ, however, observed that a question had been raised before the court pertaining to the honesty of a person holding public office.Naeem Bokhari said that his client was also given an additional one-year bonus of 190,000 sterling pounds for playing county cricket. The CJ observed that the matter was very easy and the respondent was required to present the proof of foreign earning and another proof of payment for the purchase of the London flat.

When Naeem Bokhari began to speak, the CJ asked him not to present the documentary proof piecemeal, adding that the learned counsel should tell how much time he needed for submitting the said documentary proofs.

Earlier, Naeem Bokhari told the court that PTI’s legal counsel in the case, Anwar Mansoor, was undergoing treatment for heart ailment in America, citing his absence as the reason for the delay in the submission of the documents.

Giving the last chance, the court directed the counsel to submit details pertaining to financial source on the basis of which he purchased an apartment in London in 1983 as well as details regarding the mode of payment for the purchase of the said flat and adjourned further hearing till July 26.

APP adds: The chief justice observed that the case will have to be disposed of swiftly for it was not an ordinary case. He also expressed displeasure over the PTI for submitting documents in portions and directed the counsel to provide all documents together before the next hearing.

Naeem Bukhari said that documents to substantiate Imran Khan’s earning abroad have been received and would soon be placed before the court. The (PTI) have also retrieved the record of party’s foreign funds, which would also be presented to the court before the next hearing, he added.

The chief justice remarked that the court was interested in the documents and not the reason for the delay. The court sought reply of two questions from Imran Khan regarding evidence of foreign income and purchase of the London flat. The chief justice remarked that the court wanted to verify that no money was sent from Pakistan.