SC terms Hussain Nawaz’s objections over JIT members ‘premature’

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has called Hussain Nawaz’s concerns about Joint Investigation Team (JIT) members Amir Aziz and Bilal Rasool ‘premature’, saying the objections have been expressed too early, especially at a time when evidence is being collected and no major progress has been done in the probe.

The SC said this in a written judgement in a petition filed by Hussain Nawaz, who has alleged the members of having political connections and demanded the Supreme Court to replace them for transparent and unbiased investigation.

Hussain had in his five-page objection report claimed that the JIT member from the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Bilal Rasool, is the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Mian Azhar. He added that despite being a public servant, Bilal frequently speaks against the ruling federal government, while his wife is also a PTI supporter.

Regarding the JIT member from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Amir Aziz, Hussain says he was part of the investigation team in the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case during the regime of former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. Aziz also threatened the premier’s cousin, Tariq Shafi, while investigating him in the Panama case, Hussain has alleged. Aziz also allegedly directed Shafi to take back his sworn statement, according to Hussain’s petition.

Regarding the objections over Bilal Rasool and his wife’s political affiliations, the SC ruled that if merely being related with someone was made a basis no investigation in the world could be termed impartial. 

The apex court further said there is no concrete evidence against Amir Aziz regarding objections raised by Hussain Nawaz.

The judgement added that if the court finds any partiality or bias in JIT or any member(s), it would issue appropriate judgement.