The references against the Sharif family
October 19, 2017
The Supreme Court, in its final judgment in the Panama Papers case on July 28, directed the National Accountability Bureau to file three references against the Sharif family.
Avenfield properties reference
A reference against Nawaz Sharif, daughter Maryam, sons Hussain, Hasan and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar, relating to the Avenfield properties (flats 16, 16-A, 17 and 17-A Avenfield House, Park Lane, London, United Kingdom), was directed to be filed by NAB.
"In preparing and filing this Reference, the NAB shall also consider the material already collected during the course of investigations conducted earlier, as indicated in the detailed judgments," the court ruled.
Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Est Reference
The second reference was against Nawaz, Hussain and Hasan regarding the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment — companies reportedly owned by the Sharif family and whose source of funding were not made clear to the Supreme Court during the Panama Papers case hearing.
Flagship Investment Ltd Reference
The third reference was also ordered against Nawaz, Hussain and Hasan regarding the companies mentioned in paragraph nine of the judgment.
These are around a dozen offshore companies, including Flagship Investment Limited, based in the UK and UAE and reportedly owned by the Sharif family.
The companies are: Flagship Investments Limited, Hartstone Properties Limited; Que Holdings Limited; Quint Eaton Place 2 Limited; Quint Saloane Limited (formerly Quint Eaton Place Limited), Quaint Limited; Flagship Securities Limited; Quint Gloucester Place Limited; Quint Paddington Limited (formerly Rivates Estates Limited); Flagship Developments Limited; Alanna Services Limited (BVI); Lankin SA (BVI); Chadron Inc; Ansbacher Inc; Coomber Inc; and Capital FZE (Dubai).
Wide scope of investigation
The court also ordered NAB to include in its proceedings all other persons including Sheikh Saeed, [nephew of Ishaq Dar’s wife] Musa Ghani, [son of a retired officer from London Stock Exchange] Kashif Masood Qazi, [Nawaz’s friend] Javaid Kiyani and [National Bank of Pakistan President] Saeed Ahmed, who have any direct or indirect nexus or connection with the actions of Nawaz, Hussain, Hasan, Maryam and Dar, leading to acquisition of assets and funds beyond their known sources of income.
The bench also gave NAB the option to file supplementary reference(s) "if and when any other asset, which is not prima facie reasonably accounted for, is discovered".
The accountability court will then proceed with and decide the aforesaid references within six months from the date of filing. However, some reports claim the six-month deadline will begin from the indictment of the accused.
The Supreme Court also stated that if the accountability court finds any deed, document or affidavit filed by or on behalf of the respondents or any other person to be fake, false, forged or fabricated, it shall take appropriate action against the person concerned as per the law.
