PM can’t be asked to quit on basis of  unverified documents: PML-N

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders said on Monday that the report of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing Panama Papers case does not reflect the decision of the court.

While talking to media after the resuming of PanamaLeaks case hearing, Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Supreme Court is not bound to accept the requests made in the JIT report.

“The Supreme Court will give verdict according to law and the Constitution and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be successful. We have requested the SC to make volume 10 of the report public which has also been concealed from the SC,” asserted Aurangzeb.

She said that all the documents presented by the Sharif family are verified and questioned that who will confirm the non-verified ones as they are not fit for hearing in the apex court. “The JIT is not eligible to accuse the government of corruption in tax payers’ money. Its report is false and incorrect. No one can demand PM’s resignation on the basis of non-verified documents,” she said.

She alleged Imran Khan of locking down the accountability commission in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz said that counsel for Sharif family Khawaja Haris has categorically rejected in the Supreme Court, the contents and procedure adopted by the JIT in compiling the report.

The counsel has also requested the Supreme Court that nothing should be against the law, and accordingly the JIT report should be rejected and the case against Sharif family is dismissed, he added.

Daniyal Aziz said that nothing happened during the Monday hearing. He said there should be an end to selective justice. The law should not be used only against one family and the legal proceedings should be initiated against all whose names are mentioned in the Panama Papers to ensure justice across the board and fair play.

He questioned the moral justification of those who were proclaimed offenders and at the same time had been accusing and abusing the incumbent government. “What forces are behind them as nobody takes action against them,” he questioned.

He was of the view that if an action could be taken against an MPA in Balochistan, why not against these people. The cases were registered against them with Anti-Terrorist Court but no action is being taken.

He said that Imran Khan’s lawyer had admitted tax evasion in Niazi Services while his another lawyer Mansoor Ali Khan also admitted crimes related to foreign funding. So why the pressure is only on one person, Daniyal asked.

He said the anti-terrorism court does have the power to implement its order, and why this was not being exercised in the PTI chief’s case. Daniyal said that the people who neither have any link with this case nor are petitioners, were present in the court as if they were duty-bound as he mentioned names of Chaudhry Shajuaat and leaders of the MQM.

He said those talking of moral obligation and seek resignation by the prime minister must keep in mind that they have been declared proclaimed offenders as well as orders were issued to confiscate their property.

He said Naeem Bukhari and Mansoor Ali Khan, the lawyers of Imran Khan, have admitted crimes like money laundering and getting party funding from abroad. “Therefore, we believe that requirements of justice would be fulfilled and Imran Khan would also be brought to justice.”

Agencies add: Daniyal said first hearing on JIT report is in progress in Supreme Court and each page of the report is being read out. He said that page number 73 that carries conclusive findings about flats was not mentioned.

He said the report is based on speculations and probabilities and actual facts were ignored in the JIT investigation. He said that judges have raised questions about verification of documents that mostly consist of just cuttings of newspapers and trash.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri Monday termed the JIT report a conspiracy to oust Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from power. The objections filed by the prime minister are valid as the JIT report is contrary to the facts, Zehri said.

He alleged that some elements were trying to pit institutions against each other under the garb of JIT report.

“We understand that the report is based on mala fide intentions and the fuss being created on it is beyond comprehension.” He noted that the head of the investigation team had illegally acquired services of his cousin’s firm in England.

The Balochistan chief minister said they supported the role of political parties which had a positive and constructive approach for saving the system. “The government’s objections could not be overlooked.

“Once again conspiracies are being hatched against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It will not be in the country’s interest to destabilise an elected government,” added Zehri. Zehri said the court decision on the report should be awaited.

“Political forces and parties in Balochistan stand by the prime minister and it is inappropriate to conspire against him and topple the incumbent government,” Zehri added. “The journey of peace and prosperity in Balochistan is an outcome of efforts of the prime minister and his government.

“The premier has discharged his responsibilities in a better manner and no one should have doubts about his patriotism,” added the CM. He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan without naming him. “If a man raises enough hue and cry, he is yearning to become prime minister.”

Meanwhile, talking to the media outside the Supreme Court, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will stay in power and continue running the government affairs.

“Nawaz is to stay in power and continue the journey of Pakistan’s development,” he said.  The minister said that the JIT report carries no weight and it has based its report on certain evidences that are beyond facts.

He criticised Sheikh Rashid’s political career, highlighting his role as Nawaz Sharif’s aide before the regime of military dictator Pervez Musharraf. “Wrong counselling of such leaders had resulted in 1999 fiasco.”

“God willing the apex court will decide the case on merit and not on Imran Khan’s wishes,” he said, adding that despite whatever happened “we respect the honorable judges”. Meanwhile, talking to state-run TV, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the JIT had conducted biased inquiry against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and could not prove any corruption charges him.

He said the evidences submitted by the JIT against Sharif family should be based on law, addingthat the JIT tried to prove the case on basis of doubts and assumptions and it did not find any evidence till now. Rana Sanaullah said the objections against the JIT had been raised in the Supreme Court. He said that the judges may order further investigation or reject the JIT report.