Panama case: PM submits his reply on Sheikh Rasheed’s petition

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday his reply on Sheikh Rasheed’s petition in the Supreme Court pertaining to the Panama Leaks case, while PTI Chairman Imran Khan also presented additional documents and his affidavit pertaining to the case.

The PTI chairman, in the additional documents submitted as a miscellaneous petition in the apex court, stated that Sharif family did not present record of bank transactions regarding purchase of Mayfair flats. He contended that in London one has to deposit money for purchasing property in solicitor's account.

The solicitor has not endorsed purchase of flats for Al Thani family, nor is the record of rent payment by Sharif family presented.

 The petition noted that, according to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, London flats were purchased after selling of steel mill in Jeddah.

It moved the court to prioritize PM's statement over Hussain Nawaz's declaration, underscoring, "Hussain Nawaz was too young at the time of flats' purchase".

"Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani and Nawaz Sharif have not submitted record of any kind of bank transactions," the petition read.

Imran Khan in his affidavit stated that whatever had been said by him was true and nothing had been concealed from the court.

PM's reply

The prime minister in his reply pertaining to Sheikh Rasheed's petition in the case stated, "Neither my name cropped up in Panama Papers, nor am I a beneficial owner of any offshore firms".

"Maryam Nawaz is not dependent on me," the premier stated in the reply, submitted through his counsel in the apex court.

It was stated in the reply that Sheikh Rasheed only levelled allegations and provided no proofs to substantiate his claims. "He didn't provide any evidence of alleged tax evasion by the prime minister and for not meeting Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution."

It moved the court to dispose of the petition along with imposing a fine.

"The prime minister is an elected representative of the people of Pakistan and he cannot be disqualified merely on the basis of allegations," read the reply.