Want to give complete chance to all parties, says CJP in Imran disqualification case
October 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The hearing of the reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and Secretary General Jahangir Tareen resumed on Monday in the Supreme Court on the basis of the petition seeking the two’s disqualification.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, began hearing the case on the petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi.
During the hearing, the PTI chairman's council Naeem Bukhari presented his arguments.
He stated that the impression persists that Imran has taken a u-turn on questions pertaining to the case by the court, but he hasn’t.
The chief justice, in his remarks, said that the apex court wants the parties to get a proper chance in the case to present arguments and seeks to uncover the truth of the case.
Justice Saqib Nisar observed that the petitioner has objected to the change in stance of Imran during the proceedings.
“Mr Bukhari, you present arguments in haste,” he remarked, adding that the bench needs time to process the arguments.
Abbasi’s counsel Akram Sheikh said that Imran Khan changed his stance seven times during the case proceedings.
Abbasi's counsel argued that the new documents submitted by the PTI chairman are ‘insulting’.
The chief justice remarked that when a case goes towards its final decision, new things emerge, adding that the apex court is not holding a trial.
Justice Nisar said that the receipts of Bani Gala money trail from Jemima to Imran have been viewed, adding that the bench has to determine now whether Imran lied as a Parliamentarian.
The chief justice also observed that they want to examine the documents themselves. "We are saving investigation commission’s time this way," he observed further.
Sheikh said that he would provide the court a written response in the case after two days.
The case has been adjourned until tomorrow, when the counsel of Tareen will resume his arguments.
At the last hearing, a notice was issued to the Additional Attorney General to seek an opinion on Sections 15-A and 15-B of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act.
Chief Justice Nisar had said that the court would hear the miscellaneous application filed by the PTI chairman regarding the money trail on Oct 23 (today).
The petition seeks the disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and the party’s Secretary General Jahangir Tareen from holding public office, over non-disclosure of assets, owning offshore companies, and receiving funds for the party from prohibited sources.
