Shafqat Mehmood rubbishes PML-N’s conspiracy claim

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mehmood has accused the Sharif family of lying to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the Panama Papers case.

In his detailed rebuttal Mehmood rubbished the allegations made by the prime minister's family and his party that the formation and investigation by the JIT were conspiracies against them.

"Are all firms which have provided evidence against Nawaz Sharif and his family hatching these conspiracies," he asked during his press conference on Sunday. The PTI leader claimed that the prime minister's brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had lied while recording his statement that he did not sign any contract with the Gulf Steel when in reality the contract papers carried his signature.

"Is the Gulf Steel also hatching conspiracy against them," he asked adding that international firms had also cited many properties owned by Maryam Safdar, the prime minister's daughter. Shafqat Mahmood said the money trail of Sharif family was connected to Gulf Steel Mills as United Arab Emirates had no records of the company 's dealings.

He added that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif signed on the sale agreement of Gulf Steel Mills but now he had refused to admit to what he did. He spoke further about the ownership of properties by Sharif family saying it had been proven that Neilsen company belong to Maryam Nawaz.

He said it has also been proven Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the marketing manager of FZE company on a salary of DHR 10 000. Now they claim Nawaz was the chairperson and manager but did not take salary.