SC takes notice of Pakistanis named in Panama Papers
November 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the federal government and National Accountability Bureau on petition against all the Pakistanis whose names are mentioned in the Panama Papers.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal heard petitions on Thursday against 436 Pakistanis mentioned in the Panama Papers.
While presenting his argument, Advocate Tariq Asad, one of the petitioners, said indiscriminate action should be taken against those who formed offshore companies through corrupt means. He added such steps are taken to evade taxes in the home country.
To this, Justice Afzal said main purpose of the hearing was to take action against those possessing assets beyond their known sources of income. However, he added, NAB was the actual body that would take the required steps.
As per the court, corruption is prevalent in all institutions of the state. Therefore the court combined the petitions filed by Asad and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq, issuing notices to NAB and the federal government.
While speaking to media, Siraj-ul-Haq remarked that that JI’s petition has been accepted. “If a few thousand people are put behind bars then there will be hope for country’s future.”
He also remarked that a Joint Investigation Team should be made if necessary. “We will continue our struggle against corruption.”
Disqualified by SC, Nawaz Sharif steps down as PM
On July 28, Nawaz Sharif stepped down as the prime minister of Pakistan on Friday after being disqualified from holding public office by the Supreme Court in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case.
Announcing its verdict, the five-member bench unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif for failing to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from UAE-based Capital FZE in his nominations papers for the 2013 General Election, stating that this meant he was not ‘honest’ and ‘truthful’, as per the Constitution.
"It is hereby declared that having failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from Capital FZE Jebel Ali, UAE in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013 in terms of Section 12(2)(f) of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (ROPA), and having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not honest in terms of Section 99(f) of Const. Ps. No. 29-30/2016 & 03/2017. 24 ROPA and Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and therefore he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)."
In the verdict, all five judges ruled to send references against Nawaz Sharif, his children Maryam, Hussain and Hasan, son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar and Ishaq Dar to an accountability court.
