Institutions tampering with records, creating hurdles: Panamagate JIT

ISLAMABAD: The Panama case joint investigation team (JIT), constituted by the Supreme Court to probe businesses and financial dealings of the Sharif family, alleged that certain state institutions are tampering records and creating impediments in its work, besides threatening some members of the team.

The JIT, earlier this week, had submitted a report in the apex court detailing difficulties and hurdles during the course of its investigations.

The team of investigators, in its report, alleged that the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) chairman and executive director are tampering records and displaying a non-cooperative attitude.

 The report also alleged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of non-provision of records and the Ministry of Law for delaying a letter for the sake of investigations abroad.

The JIT accused Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel of threatening JIT member, Bilal Rasool, and trying to hack Rasool and his family's Facebook accounts. 

The report, submitted in the apex court, further said that IB personnel were seen near the residence of Bilal Rasool on May 24 and they also threatened domestic help at his residence.

"The JIT asked the SECP for record of Chaudhry Sugar Mills and all past inquiries against Sharif family. But the SECP denied any inquiries held against Sharif family in the past, while a witness told that the SECP chairman directed not to search the record of inquiries," the report stated.

"The SECP chief also ordered tampering of record of Chaudhry Sugar Mills and Executive Director Ali Azeem changed it from past dates. Azeem was also nominated by the SECP chairman for inclusion in the JIT, to sabotage investigations," added the report.

The JIT further claimed that the Ministry of Law and Justice caused a five-day delay in responding to its letter for investigations abroad.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was also accused of pressurising JIT member Irfan Mangi.

It said the NAB issued a show cause notice to Mangi on April 25, for his deputation in the anti-graft body in 2004 and asked Mangi to submit an explanation with in 15 days.

When the FBR was asked for records of the Sharif family since 1985, the report stated, it only provided details from of the last five years.

The report further said the government has leaked details of JIT correspondence with concerned institutions and claimed the parties in the case have been asking witnesses to testify in their favour.

"The chairman of Ittefaq Group directed Tariq Shafi to visit the PM House prior to his appearance before the JIT, wherein he was asked to submit a statement according to their directives," the report further said.

It said the leaking of secret correspondence to media was aimed at making the investigations controversial, adding the JIT secretly issued summons to the prime minister, which the information minister had earlier confirmed to media.

"Making information public this way raises concerns for witnesses' security," the report added.