Panama Leaks case: Judge demands financial records from PM

ISLAMABAD: A five-member larger bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed hearing the Panama Leaks case on Wednesday

Justice Azmat Saeed demanded that financial records of transactions between the Prime Minister and his children be shown.

There are discrepancies in the Prime Minister’s speech in the parliament and his stance in the court, Justice Asif Khosa remarked. “Explain the discrepancies in the next hearing,” he said.

The hearing has been postponed till January 19 (Thursday).

Maryam Nawaz is not dependent on PM: PM's counsel

During the proceedings, the Prime Minister’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan argued that the Prime Minister’s daughter Maryam Nawaz was not his dependent. He said that Hussain Nawaz had given money to the Prime Minister as a gift, who gave it to Maryam Nawaz. She later bought property with the money.

"Are you trying to say that this money was transferred in a bank account," Justice Asif Saeed Khosa laughed.  

The PM's counsel argued that all transactions occurred through a bank and tax was paid on gifts, adding that Hussain Nawaz Sharif’s NTN was attached in the evidence. The Prime Minister has not evaded any taxes, he said.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked that in order to make black money white, it is laundered, and that same money is sent back to Pakistan."It is very possible that money was transferred illegally," he said. 

The Prime Minister's counsel argued that everyone has the right to keep his bank details private.

He said that in the tax forms, the Prime Minister wrote Maryam Nawaz's name as his dependent as no other option was present in the form.

Nawaz Sharif has laundered money: Imran Khan

Speaking outside the Supreme Court, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said that Nawaz Sharif was involved in money laundering. "During the proceedings today a third mill also came under discussion," he said.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said that Imran Khan had a "Nawaz Sharif phobia". "For his personal interests he wants to destroy the economy," he said.  

Federal minister Khawaja Asif said Imran Khan should explain funds for Shaukat Khanum Hospital which he transferred abroad. 

State Minister for Information Marriyam Aurangzeb said that Imran Khan will soon have to apologise for his behaviour.