ISLAMABAD: The Panama Leaks case was adjourned for the week to resume hearing by the five-member larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa on Monday when the prime minister’s counsel will submit details of gifts received and the division of properties.
During proceedings the bench remarked that people were complaining the hearing was proceeding slowly, adding that the court was not subject to people’s wishes and would not be intimidated by anyone.
The case would be heard until all the requirements of justice were fulfilled, remarked Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
During proceedings, Shahid Hamid, the counsel for Maryam Nawaz, Captain (retd) Safdar and Ishaq Dar, continued his arguments before the apex court on Friday. He told the larger bench that Ishaq Dar had completely rejected the confessional statement regarding money laundering.
Hamid added that Ishaq Dar was forced to sign a pre-prepared confessional statement.
Earlier on Thursday, the counsel for Hasan and Hussain Nawaz submitted their replies before the Supreme Court. Details of business interests were furnished along with Hasan Nawaz’s reply which also mentioned business interests owned by the Qatari prince.
Details of the reply submitted before the Supreme Court outlined the various business interests held by the Qatari prince Hamad bin Jassim along with a letter dated 22 December 2016 which clarified the questions raised in connection with the prince’s earlier letter.
The prince’s letter outlined that business in the Gulf at the time was conducted on a cash basis and highlighted the details of how shares were distributed among the business partners in 2005.
‘Shut the assembly’
Referring to yesterday’s scuffle in the National Assembly session, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said the assembly served no purpose.
“What use is the assembly which loots money and protects the elite’s corruption? Better close it down and save money,” the PTI chairman said while speaking to media outside the Supreme Court earlier today.
Khan condemned the scuffle and reiterated that corruption and tax theft are two important issues plaguing the country.
“Everybody knows the Qatari prince’s letter is a fraud,” he added.