Supreme Court has demanded a response regarding the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) against 436 individuals named in the Panama Papers.
Under the leadership of Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, a two-member bench in the Supreme Court conducted a hearing on the request of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) for investigations against 436 Pakistanis mentioned in the Panama Papers.
During the proceedings, the court, while conversing with the JI’s lawyer, remarked that after seven years, you suddenly remembered that it concerns public interest. At that time, there was only one case against a single family, both related to the Panama issue. Why didn’t you suggest that all cases be heard together? Therefore, do not exploit this case for your own advantage.
Justice Sardar Tariq stated, “Was this matter linked to your request at this moment? I don’t want to say anything, but it seems to me that this is something else entirely.” The bench had granted you significant relief earlier, but why didn’t you suggest to hear it together in front of this bench?
The court inquired from the Jamaat-e-Islami’s lawyer whether they had approached any institution for investigations in the past seven years. Have you fulfilled your responsibility? Should the Supreme Court handle all the work? How can we order actions against individuals without issuing notices to them?
The Supreme Court made remarks that among these 436 individuals, there may also be businessmen. Do you want to drive them away? How can we order actions against individuals without issuing notices to them? Forming an offshore company is not a crime, but it needs to be examined how these companies were established. Issuing such orders against 436 individuals would be against the principles of natural justice.
The Supreme Court stated that why didn’t you seek reference from institutions like NAB, FIA, and others against the nominated individuals? How can the court make a decision regarding the 436 individuals in the Panama case without hearing them?
