JIT on Panama papers case submits initial report before SC

22 May, 2017

A three-member special bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan resumed hearing of the implementation case of Panama verdict.

Head of the JIT Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Wajid Zia submitted the sealed report relating to progress in the investigation so far made by the JIT.

Members of the bench reviewed the report of the JIT. The court remarked that it reviewed the progress report and its direction.

During the course of proceedings, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan addressing the head of JIT Wajid Zia said that he should keep in mind that the investigation be completed within 60 days. "We will not allow extra time under any circumstances," Justice Shiekh Azmat added.

PTI counsel Fawad Chaudhry pleaded the bench to give the progress report of the JIT to them. The court rejected PTI's appeal for sharing the report with it. Justice Ejaz Afzal asked the PTI counsel to quote any section of CrPC supporting his plea for sharing the report.

The bench declared that till completion of the investigation nothing would be made public or shared with anyone. However, the bench said that the report will only be made public at a suitable time.

Justice Azmat asked the JIT head to inform the bench if he had any issues with any department or anyone was not cooperating with him.

Justice Azmat Saeed said that the JIT was heading in right direction, adding that they had confidence on the team.

The next hearing will be held in two weeks, in line with the Supreme Court's order on the Panama Papers case.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2017

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