Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, rejected the notion that the Panama case verdict was a "split decision", adding that although the judges' opinions "may be different, all five judges signed off on formation of a Joint Investigation team (JIT)."

Speaking to journalists, Nisar mentioned how the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership had initially demanded that a JIT, including members from ISI and MI, be formed to investigate allegations of corruption.

Explore: Imran demands judicial commission under chief justice to probe Panama Papers

Now that the Supreme Court verdict reflected that proposition, Nisar expressed it was important to for all parties to respect the decision.

“It is a sign of the end of times, to have Asif Ali Zardari lecture us on Article 62, 63,” he remarked while criticising the opposition's hardening stance on the prime minister's resignation following the verdict, inviting a faint laughter from journalists present at the conference.

Article 62 and 63 of the constitution make it a requirement for the country's chief executive to be 'truthful' and 'honest'.

Explore: Articles 62, 63 need scrutiny, argues PM lawyer

Nisar expressed his discomfort with political parties announcing protests, terming it as detrimental to the integrity of the SC’s verdict.

He went on to talk about the nature of the allegations against the PM.

“The onus of proving a case lies with the prosecution all over the world,” said Nisar, “but in this case, we have faced the opposite.”

“This is not a corruption case,” he said, referring to the Panama Papers scandal against the PM and his family.

“Lots of people have houses abroad,” he said, adding that: “since day one, the PM has not hidden his assets.”

Nisar added that the court’s decision to further investigate allegations of corruption against the prime minister should be accepted in all its merit.

“Since the matter is sub-judice, I will not comment on it any further,” he resolved.

Opinion

Editorial

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.