Hassan Nawaz appears before JIT for Panama Papers probe

Published June 2, 2017
An official escorts Hassan Nawaz before his first appearance before the panel probing graft charges against his family. —AP
An official escorts Hassan Nawaz before his first appearance before the panel probing graft charges against his family. —AP
Hassan Nawaz waves as he arrives to record his statement before the JIT at the Federal Judicial Academy in Islamabad. —AFP
Hassan Nawaz waves as he arrives to record his statement before the JIT at the Federal Judicial Academy in Islamabad. —AFP

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's younger son, Hassan Nawaz, on Friday made his first appearance before the joint investigation team (JIT) constituted by the Supreme Court to probe the Panama Papers case, DawnNews reported.

Hassan arrived at the Federal Judicial Academy, where the JIT has set up its secretariat, flanked by PML-N leaders.

A day earlier, his elder brother, Hussain Nawaz, had appeared before the JIT for the third time in five days to defend the money trail of the Sharifs' London properties.

As he emerged from the JIT secretariat, Hussain claimed that there was not an iota of evidence of any wrongdoing or illegality committed by him, his father, brother and sister.

It has not been specified what Hussain will be questioned on when he will make his fourth appearance.

In his first appearance before the JIT, Hussain had refused to answer questions put forth by the investigative body, saying that the JIT's status was 'sub judice' as he had already filed a petition before the apex court regarding two of its constituents.

Subsequently, the apex court terminated the plea filed by Hussain seeking the exclusion of the two JIT members. After each of the next two hearings, the elder son of the premier told reporters that he answered all questions put forward by the JIT.

The six-member JIT has been constituted by the apex court to examine the business dealings of the Sharif family abroad.

The apex court has also been monitoring the proceedings of the JIT on fortnightly basis.

Opinion

Editorial

Successful summit
Updated 17 Oct, 2024

Successful summit

Platforms like SCO present an opportunity for states to set aside narrow differences.
Failed tax target
17 Oct, 2024

Failed tax target

THE government’s plan to document retailers for tax purposes through its ‘voluntary’ Tajir Dost Scheme appears...
More questions
17 Oct, 2024

More questions

THE alleged rape of a student at a private college in Lahore has sparked confusion, social media campaigns, ...
Two steps back
Updated 16 Oct, 2024

Two steps back

Instead of treating polio as a stand-alone emergency, it should be incorporated into a broader public health strategy.
Defunding varsities
16 Oct, 2024

Defunding varsities

IF a plan — apparently conjured up by foreign lenders — to defund public varsities goes ahead, tens of thousands...
Protecting children
16 Oct, 2024

Protecting children

THIS country’s children make the news for unfortunate reasons. At the core of their plight is the state’s...