Maryam has nothing to do with Mayfair properties: counsel

Submitting a reply in the Panamagate case before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the counsel for Prime Minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz said that his client has nothing to do with the Mayfair properties in London. Appearing before a five-member larger bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, counsel for Maryam Nawaz, Shahid Hamid also submitted a statement of her client.
The statement disclosed that Maryam Nawaz got married in 1992 with a serving captain of Pakistan Army who was later inducted into the civil service. Maryam said in the statement that her husband has been paying taxes since 1986 when he secured commission in Pakistan Army.
She said that they took up residence in one of the five houses in Shamim Agri Farms, Raiwind, all of which are owned by her grandmother, adding that she has three children including one son and two daughters, saying the son is presently studying at Durham University and her elder daughter has recently been married. She stated that in November 2007, her parents, grand-parents, other family members and her husband returned from exile and then she and her husband took up residence in Shamim Agri Farms.
"My father has gifted so much to me primarily on account of the abundance of his love and affection for me. He has been making these gifts with the full consent of my mother, my brothers and my sister, and my brothers have materially assisted him in fulfilling his wishes," Maryam Nawaz said in the statement.
Maryam Nawaz stated that she has not been dependant on her father since her marriage in 1992, saying she has never been remained beneficial owner of the London flats and has never derived any income or profit or financial benefit from the Mayfair properties in London.
Shahid Hamid also filed a civil miscellaneous application on behalf of Maryam Nawaz before the bench saying Hussain Nawaz, elder brother of his client, is not only closed to his sister (Maryam) but he was also very dear to his grandfather Mian Muhammad Sharif.
Maryam Nawaz informed the court that her brother Hussain Nawaz has two families, which include four children from one wife and three from the other, adding both of his wives have different nationalities.
"All the children were minors in 2005-06 and Hussain Nawaz was very concerned that in the event of his demise, someone should ensure equitable distribution of his property amongst the members of his two families as per Sharia law," Maryam Nawaz submitted.
She said that in the last quarter of 2005, her brother told him that Al-Thani family intended to transfer to him the shares of the two companies which owned the four London flats in settlement of the investments made by the late Mian Sharif.
She also stated that in this regard, Hussain Nawaz informed her that he was in touch with Minerva Financial Services Limited, Jersey, to provide the secretarial and connected services for the two companies. Maryam Nawaz further said that Hussain Nawaz wanted to authorise her in relation to the Mayfair properties in London so that in case of his death she could ensure distribution of the properties as per Sharia law among the legal heirs.
Maryam Nawaz submitted that she became authorised signatory on the request of his brother but has never been in communication with Minerva Financial Services. The Premier's daughter also rejected the correspondence between Financial Investigation Agency of the British Virgin Islands and Mossack Fonseca.
Earlier, the Supreme Court rejected Maryam's statement since it did not bear her signature. However, on behalf of Maryam Nawaz, her attorney inked the signature on the statement and it was submitted again with the Supreme Court.
Earlier, responding to the plea of Advocate Taufeeq Asif and Sheikh Sheikh Ahsanud Din, who concluded arguments on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami in the matter, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa observed that the court may summon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to record statement in the current matter.
Concluding his arguments, JI counsel Taufeeq Asif said that Nawaz Sharif had appeared before the apex court several times in different matters, adding the court should summon him in this matter as well. Taufeeq Asif alleged that everyone has doubts regarding the money trail of London flats given by the Sharif family.
However, Justice Khosa was of the view that allegations have been levelled against Nawaz Sharif on account of his daughter Maryam Nawaz, saying the court will first hear the stance of the counsels of Nawaz Sharif's children. Later, hearing of the matter was adjourned till Wednesday (today) where counsel for Maryam Nawaz will deliver arguments on the issue of dependency and finical benefit of his client.