Panamagate case: SC confronts PTI counsel for raising new issues

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court confronted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) counsel Naeem Bukhari for raising new issues and questions but not taking them to logical conclusion during the hearing of Panamagate case here on Monday.

A five member larger bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, was unimpressed by Bukhari for shifting the focus of the Panama Papers leak case away from the London flats towards the Hudaibiya Paper Mills.

According to local media reports, the bench noted that the case is one of its own kind, therefore, it is totally examining the nature of all aspects. The bench said that the decision will be taken in accordance with the spirit of law and constitution. It said our objective is to reach the whole truth of the matter.

Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh remarked that PTI counsel Naeem Bukhari is once again unable to substantiate his submissions regarding London properties. "Bukhari did not submit any scrap of paper to establish that Sharif family owned London properties in 1993," he added.

Justice Asif Khosa also advised the PTI counsel to file a reference with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to re-open the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case against the Sharif family.

"First, you spoke about London flats and now, you have jumped towards the confessional statement of Ishaq Dar on the mills," he remarked.

The bench later adjourned the hearing till Tuesday morning.