Panama Papers: Pak SC orders probe against PM Nawaz Sharif
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday ordered the creation of a Joint Investigation Team to investigate charges against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members in the Panama Papers case. The Panama Papers had revealed that Sharif's daughter and two sons owned offshore holding companies and used them to buy properties in London.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will have to appear before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) which will probe his family's involvement in corruption as claimed in the Panama Papers leak, the country's Supreme Court today. The commission has 60 days to submit its report to the top court. The Supreme Court verdict was split 3-2 as two judges wanted the Pakistan PM to be disqualified while facing trial. Three other members of the 5-judge bench were in the favour of further probe in the matter. The JIT will include officials from National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence, the Supreme Court bench said. The JIT will be headed by a director-general level FIA officer. Praise & glory be to Allah alone. Shukrana & mubariks ?? pic.twitter.com/yM92bIJJocThe Supreme Court had agreed to hear the case against Nawaz Sharif and family following country-wide protests by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's party - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI last year. Panama Papers revealed that the Sharif's children owned offshore companies dealing in millions of dollars in property transactions.The case against Sharif stems from documents leaked from the Panama-based Mossack Fonseca law firm, which appeared to show that his daughter and two sons owned offshore holding companies and used them to buy properties in London.The Panama Papers were published last year by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). ALSO READ:Panama Papers reveal global nexus of corruption