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A special bench of the Supreme Court (SC), which will be overseeing the implementation of the Panama Papers case verdict, on Wednesday rejected the nominees from the Securities and Exchange Commission Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for the joint investigation team (JIT) that will probe Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his sons' business dealings abroad.
The SC had, by a majority verdict of three to two, ordered the constitution of a JIT to probe the assets of the incumbent prime minister.
In an April 20 order, the five-judge bench hearing the Panama Papers case had requested Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar to constitute a special bench to ensure the implementation of the judgement.
The special bench includes the three judges who handed down the majority judgement in the Panama Papers case: Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan.
Justice Khan, who heads the special bench, said it had rejected the names of officials nominated by the SBP and SECP because they did not meet the court's criteria.
The court wants a transparent investigation, Justice Khan asserted, adding: "We want honest and professional officials to be members of the JIT."
The court also directed the SECP chairman and SBP governor to appear in the next hearing with lists of all officers of Grade 18 and above working in the two organisations.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed said the bench had asked for the lists so that they could pick the JIT members itself.
"No one will be allowed to play games with the court," he added.
The third member of the bench, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, said the court would also not stand any excuses or delays during the implementation of its orders.
The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2017.
Earlier today, the federal government had appointed Riaz Riazuddin as the acting SBP governor after Mahmood Ashraf Wathra's tenure ended April 28 and the central bank chose not to renew his contract.
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Comments (59) Closed
May 03, 2017 02:03pm
Not result but Panama case will be remembered for decades
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May 03, 2017 02:05pm
The good thing is that have accepted the nominees from two top intelligence agencies.
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May 03, 2017 02:08pm
And the show goes on
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May 03, 2017 02:08pm
Interval is over - 2nd half starts now...match could still be a draw!
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May 03, 2017 02:11pm
This will go on and on, just delayed is justice denied.
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May 03, 2017 02:11pm
For how long we will carry on with this, JIT was supposed to have been formed within 7 days. Will there ever be justice in Pakistan.
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May 03, 2017 02:14pm
It's just the smoke screen!
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May 03, 2017 02:29pm
We hope judges have got the pulse report for their previous judgment.
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May 03, 2017 02:31pm
Why grade 18 and above? They should be experienced and professional expertise in grade 20 and above. Seem to be delaying tactics, are SBP and SECP not serious about the gravity of the matter?
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May 03, 2017 02:33pm
Delay tactics to get the PM save heaven and get ready for the coming election
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May 03, 2017 02:34pm
Let us hope for the best. SC is doing its job. we must have faith in it.
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May 03, 2017 02:38pm
our future depends totally on judges of supreme court. the present ruler will use its old tactic to use money for hiding facts in panama case. supreme court should appoint honest men to reach the property of our ruler which is in billion dollars.
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May 03, 2017 02:38pm
action movie 2nd part
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May 03, 2017 02:44pm
Bravo! Viva! Shabash Supreme Court! The governor SBP and chairman SECP should be penalized for delaying tactics. Mr. Chief Justice, Sir, please speed up the JIT investigations and pass judgement ASAP. The citizens are tired of delays by the corrupt politicians who get away with almost all wrong doings. Salams
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May 03, 2017 02:52pm
We all know that people nominated by the PMLN government to represent SECP (and other institutions) are hand picked by Mr Dar and the Prime Minister. How can they be unbiased?
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May 03, 2017 03:00pm
"No one will be allowed to play games with the court,"
Strong reaction by court...... More strict actions/orders is desired for corrupt politicians & bureaucrats, who always resort to delaying tactics.
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May 03, 2017 03:03pm
Nothing will come out as a proof in favor of shareef family or against them since company's under questions are all formed outside Pakistan. hence once again we will have a draw match . But the questions still remains: how did shareef family get all this wealth? will the SC ever be able to get away with that question, if Shareef goes scot-free again.
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May 03, 2017 03:04pm
God bless our country. Directing our energies for useless purpose.
There is room for the top courts and brilliant minds to decide things that can end corruption, delays and miseries prevalent at lower level courts. Entangled itself however, in dirty power game.
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May 03, 2017 03:04pm
Does the majority amongst we people detest the cancer of corruption that is almost taking away our last breath?
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May 03, 2017 03:04pm
let's linger on till 2018
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May 03, 2017 03:08pm
What else can it do?
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May 03, 2017 03:15pm
@Khalid Almost all are 'acting', unqualified and compatible with the qualifications of the positions they are 'acting' on.
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May 03, 2017 03:28pm
@Shahid Dear Shahid, couldn't agree more. Well said.
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May 03, 2017 03:30pm
SC seems to be on the right track now but frankly speaking, if possible only those two members should be considered more than enough. And on need,NAB,FIA,SBP and SCEP must work under their direction as cooperating hands only. At least NAB was termed as dead by SC itself then why its working would be trustworthy and the proof has come at the first step ,why are the names rejected by SC .
With due apology, there is a least possibility of finding any such member from these four agencies as are required by SC. And this is what Pakistan is in fact lacking. Despite all, these,SC is absolutely doing fine.
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May 03, 2017 03:31pm
@NKAli -Your suggestion of penalizing those who are using delay tactics is JUSTIFIED.
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May 03, 2017 03:32pm
@PANAMA - It is not the majority but VESTED INTEREST.
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May 03, 2017 03:47pm
Still a lot of corrupt people in higher places. Just goes to show what a corrupt society we have in Pakistan.
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May 03, 2017 03:54pm
The Special Bench and JIT can create history if it is done in a transparent and fair manner which will most probably result in criminal actions against the accused persons. It will definitely lead to prosecution of other big fishes and will indeed be remembered for centuries! This may very well turn out to be a saviour of Pakistan. Otherwise only God can help us.
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May 03, 2017 04:08pm
No more playing games. SC means business.
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May 03, 2017 04:11pm
@Harry - Yeah it is Pakistan and the countries around it, like India, BD, etc. However, Pakistani people seems to be more vocal and also make efforts to expose the corrupt elements.
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May 03, 2017 04:13pm
Episode 99, in the ongoing saga.
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May 03, 2017 04:24pm
Supreme Court should look persons with high qualifications living at least last 50 years in any western countries. They are well established, honest and highly professional. They will have no interest except good for the country and can not be influenced by Sharif family or his friends. I can propose few : Dr. Eng. Chughtai living in Gummersbach, Germany; Tanweer Ahmed living in Darmstadt, Germany; Ejaz Ahmed in Aalborg, Denmark; etc. these all are well known to the Pak-Embassies. There may be much more in other countries.
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May 03, 2017 04:45pm
It is good that the Hon'ble court is itself on the course to monitor the progress of JIT. We should hope for the best.
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May 03, 2017 04:49pm
@last comment: because it will last for decades :p
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May 03, 2017 05:26pm
@i2i how does that help ? knowing that PM and it's family is the byproduct of the powerful regimes, why do you think its good ? if anything, these nominees will prevent others for making the correct choice
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May 03, 2017 05:29pm
Let the SC assert its authority and do visible justice.
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May 03, 2017 05:49pm
What next ??
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May 03, 2017 06:15pm
We all agree on with honourable justice Khan's decision about the selection of JIT members when he says: "We want honest and professional officials to be members of the JIT.
But this is what I was thinking. Millions of people elected the prime minister, too, hoping to find honesty and professionalism.
Corruption has sneaked into the souls of a great majority of this nation. The best assurance still remains in the resignation of the prime minister for the time being.
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May 03, 2017 06:43pm
@Mahmud ..Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just and fair..
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May 03, 2017 06:44pm
@NKAli its not the delaying tactics from SECP & SBP, its the SC that have asked for a list of all the grade 18 & above employees, I wonder how they will chose the 'honest' ones
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May 03, 2017 06:46pm
@last comment .. we have a very short lived memory. next election they will be back in power again. But remember what I said about forgetting what I said....
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May 03, 2017 06:50pm
@on FLIP SIDE Interesting analogy!
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May 03, 2017 06:50pm
@Hasnain Haque Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. did you see any...
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May 03, 2017 06:52pm
@Hasnain Haque ...never...why... we all know it ...Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.
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May 03, 2017 07:27pm
Had 3 judges ruled for NSs disqualification, like Gilani he would have been eligible to run again in 5 yrs time. But from the tone set by the judges today it seems many misunderstood the depth of their verdict which leads to an avenue of criminal proceedings against PM if money trail is not proved as part of JIT. How ironic Pml-n spokeppl were celebrating- whose the ladoos and ghulab jamans now
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May 03, 2017 08:12pm
@Gerry D .Absolutely,no delay tactics be tolerated.
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May 03, 2017 08:14pm
This is the usual court speed of action. It may take ages to decide this simple case, if at all it does so.
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May 03, 2017 08:19pm
Good job SC. keep it up. PM and party is a hard core group, they will not work till they are forced to. What a shame.
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May 03, 2017 08:23pm
This is Pakistan, first question, can JIT have any jurisdiction in foreign countries???? What the head of various institutions said during the case is true now also. Again, hope it's not a futile exercise without conclusion or end to the investigation. Nation continues in egony.....
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May 04, 2017 12:32am
Nawaz will find a way around the investigation and the investigators. He will NOT be found guilty OR the case will simply NOT be completed.
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May 04, 2017 01:52am
@Harry unfortunately you are correct.
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May 04, 2017 04:44am
This investigation should be conducted by big ; accounting firms engaged from London and their investigator should be given out a security to conduct this investigation.
No one in Pakistan will be able to offer this services due to capacity and security. More than happy to help out.
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May 04, 2017 04:45am
Big 4 accounting firms from. London should be engaged and investigator under security should conduct this.
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May 04, 2017 05:05am
"No One will be allowed to play games with court" They themselves are playing game.
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May 04, 2017 05:44am
The results of JIT will determine if the judges are for real
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May 04, 2017 05:58am
If you are wanting grade 18 to be in the JIT, you are not setting a high standard to begin with. These poor grade 18 people are given Suzuki Altos to drive, at least get the guys who drive the Corollas.
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May 04, 2017 06:00am
Its simple, get some sharp people from the outside, who do not belong to any political party, otherwise, its business as usual no matter who the judge.
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May 04, 2017 06:31am
We should appoint a Chinese,Saudi and a Turk they will be impartial
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May 04, 2017 09:54am
One hopes , this time the final punch is delivered . Sharif family can not go on parrying .
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