Panamagate JIT trying to buy more time, claims PM's spokesperson
July 06, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Musadiq Malik, spokesman for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Thursday raised several questions on the Panama case joint investigation team (JIT), claiming that it is trying to buy more time after July 10 to report its findings.
Speaking at a press conference here, Malik lamented that the documents being submitted to [the JIT] are being shown on TV. He questioned whether the high-profile probe team was formed in the light of the verdict of five-member bench of the Supreme Court.
The PM's spokesman further asked whether they distributed sweetmeats for taping of the PM House's phone lines.
About leaking of Husain Nawaz picture, he said, "An unknown man from an unknown institution leaked the image, while investigations against him too remain unclear".
Claiming that the investigation team is looking for more time after the expiry of July 10 deadline to report its findings, Malik questioned, "Is the JIT trying to find some Masood Mahmood? The quest for Mahmood-like approver indicates hatching of a conspiracy."
It is pertinent to mention here that Masood Mahmood was an approver in Nawab Mohammad Ahmad Khan Kasuri case, in which the Lahore High Court awarded death sentence to former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
'JIT is controversial, will remain so'
On the other hand, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the Panama case JIT has made itself controversial and if its findings were in contrast with opposition's wishes then it would shatter their dreams.
The provincial minister was speaking to media at a ceremony in Lahore. He said his party will accept Supreme Court's verdict in Panama Leaks case, for if they do not, then it may lead to disturbance.
Sanaullah said they have kept their reservations over the probe team on record. "It (JIT) is an investigating body, not the Supreme Court. The JIT is controversial and it will remain so."
The provincial minister said the investigation team should have gone to Jeddah, London and Gulf to probe the case, but instead it kept asking the ones appearing before it for evidence.
