Islamabad (May 29, 2017): The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the objections raised by Prime Minister’s son Hussain Nawaz on two members of the Joint Investigation Team and directed JIT to continue its ongoing probe into Sharif family’s business dealings as per law.
The special implementation bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan heard the application of Hussain Nawaz, wherein he had raised objections on two members of the JIT, questioning their impartiality.
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The bench while directing the JIT to carry on its investigation into Sharif family’s assets, made it clear that not a single member of the JIT will be changed without concrete proof.
Justice Ejaz Afzal said that no member of the Team would be changed on anyone objection. “If we go by these objections then we have to summon angel to descend from the heaven sky for the probe,” Justice Afzal, who is heading the special bench, remarked.
“Whether it is the prime minister or an ordinary citizen, nobody is above the law,” the judge added.
Playing down the objections, Ejaz Afzal said that it was not unusual and even objections were raised on Supreme Court judges. .
However, the court asked the JIT not to hurt the self-respect of those appearing before it.
The bench plainly refused to change the members of the JIT on whom Hussain Nawaz had raised objections. The bench also directed President National Bank (NBP) Saeed Ahmed to appear before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Tuesday at any cost.
Hussain Nawaz in his application had alleged that one of the two members of JIT was a close friend of former president General Pervez Musharaf and was very active during special court proceedings in treason case against Musharaf. Hussain had also said that the other one was relative of former governor of Punjab Mian Azhar who is currently associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).
The reservations were raised against Amer Aziz and Bilal Rasool, who respectively represent the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in the six-member JIT.
The three-member special bench, comprises of Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsen.
Hussain Nawaz counsel Khwaja Haris submitted that the apex court had constituted a JIT. He pleaded that there should be balance in treatment of witnesses and investigation. He added that Prime Minister’s cousin Tariq Shafi was made to sit for 13 hours. The JIT should work as per law, he urged.
He alleged that Tariq Shafi was pressured to withdraw his affidavit, which is against the law.
He also raised objection on the procedure of recording statements by the JIT.
Upon this the bench remarked that the court was against harnessing anyone. Justice Ejazul Hassan remarked that the JIT’s mandate was to obtain evidence and record statements. He added that the whole proceeding of the JIT would be presented before the court. “It is up to the court what to accept or reject. You may submit objections over the JIT proceeding and findings,” the judge remarked.
Justice Azmat Saeed while addressing Hussain Nawaz counsel said that whether he wanted there should be men of Prime Minister’s choice and liking in the JIT.
JIT head Wajid Zia told the court that Qatri prince Sheikh Hammad and Masood Qazi were summoned by the JIT but they did not turned up.
Upon this, the bench remarked that if Sheikh Hammad did not appear before the JIT then Qatri letter might go straight to dustbin.
The bench remarked that if anyone hesitate in appearing before the JIT, arrest warrant of such person should be issued.
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