Summary The Supreme Court has adjourned the case hearing for two hours.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed all the respondents to submit their comments till 01:00pm today (Tuesday) regarding formation of a commission to probe the Panama Papers leaks.
A five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali is hearing the petitions submitted by PTI, JI and AML.
A petition filed by the PTI demands an inquiry be initiated against the prime minister and his family on the matter of Panama Papers. Another petition filed by the Jamaat-e-Islami demands Federal Board of Revenue and National Accountability Bureau be asked to investigate all Pakistani companies named in the Panama Papers while Sheikh Rasheed of Awami Muslim League has demanded that a commission be formed to investigate the allegations in the Panama Papers.
During the case hearing today, the Supreme Court has given two hours to the government and PTI to respond to its offer to form a commission to investigate the matter.
The court has also sought written assurance from both parties that the commission‘s decision will be accepted in letter and spirit.
In his remarks, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said the case will be heard on daily basis.
Speaking to media outside the SC, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said his party has complete confidence in the apex court and would abide by its decision.
PM UNDER PRESSURE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been under pressure since documents released as part of the Panama Papers data leak showed his children owned several off-shore companies and used them to buy properties in London. He denies wrongdoing, as do his children.
The opposition has seized on the Panama Papers scandal as a fresh opportunity to try to unseat Sharif, who told parliament that his wealth was acquired legally in the decades before he entered politics and no money was siphoned off-shore.
PTI chairman Imran Khan has vowed to “shut down” Islamabad on November 2, demanding PM Nawaz to either step down or present himself for accountability for his alleged involvement in Panama Papers scandal.
