SC asks how Hussain remitted money to Nawaz

Supreme Court on Wednesday inquired about the source through which Hussain Nawaz sent remittances to his father, prime minister Nawaz Sharif from 2011 to 2014. Appearing before a five-member larger bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa in the Panamagate case, the Prime Minister's counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan said that Nawaz Sharif's son Hussain sent Rs 542 million to his father during the aforementioned period as a gift.
During the course of hearing, Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa observed that one portion of the petitioners' arguments is about money laundering. He said that in order to hide black money an amount is sent abroad; and later it returns to the home country. Justice Khosa, however, categorically stated that he was not relating the issue of whitening the black money to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
A member of the bench Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh remarked that as per facts available before the court, two offshore companies Nescoll and Nielsen cannot generate profit of Rs 520 million because these companies just bought Mayfair properties in London, adding that nothing has been placed before the court about the business through which where such profit was received.
To which, Makhdoom Ali Khan apprised the bench that Hussain Nawaz sent remittances from the proceeds of his businesses in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and other countries about which lawyers of Hussain Nawaz can assist the court in detail. Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh said that no documents in this regard were submitted before the court as parties to the case seem to be hiding the truth, adding that someday the truth will come out in the open because people want to know the truth.
Justice Sheikh remarked told the premier's counsel, "We are not speaking Persian. Produce the transaction record of the remittances before the court." Makhdoom Ali Khan said that submitting documents regarding the transactions was not necessary since he has argued that gifts were transferred through banks; however, he submitted if the court is desirous, details of accounts could be provided to it.
Khan further apprised the bench that gifts given to Maryam Nawaz have been declared in his client's wealth and income tax returns whose record has been submitted to the court.
Terming the accusation of tax evasion against his client as a mere allegation, Makhdoom Ali Khan argued that gifts can only be described as income when they are given by a person who does not have a national tax number.
Responding to the observation of Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Makhdoom Ali Khan submitted that an amount of Rs 210 million was sent by Hussain Nawaz in 2012 whereas another Rs 129.8 million were gifted by him in the same year.
Justice Khosa said while referring to Rs 243 million agricultural land measuring 5.38 acres in district Mansehra on the title of Maryam Nawaz, said the son (Hussain Nawaz) sent the amount to the father (Nawaz Sharif) and then father bought a piece of land in the name of his daughter Maryam Nawaz which Nawaz Sharif declared in the name of Maryam Nawaz while filing income tax returns in 2011-12. Justice Gulzar Ahmed questioned if the agriculture land was not benami, whereas Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked why only Hussain Nawaz used to give money as gifts to his father.
Responding to the bench's queries, Makhdoom Ali Khan contended that Maryam's name was mentioned in his client's tax returns because there was no other column on the form, saying the very purpose of mentioning her name on the form was not to declare her as a dependent because she is not a dependent of Nawaz Sharif.
Khan further said that his client has categorically stated that he has no dependent except his wife. Responding to Justice Gulzar Ahmed's queries, the premier's counsel said that tax forms had been audited in 2015 while the Panama Papers came to surface in 2016.
Makhdoom Ali Khan reiterated that accusations of tax evasion made against his client are incorrect, saying all the money was gifted by Nawaz Sharif to his daughter through banks. He pointed out that even petitioners have also accepted the fact that the money was gifted through bank transactions.
Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa observed that the court has to examine a speeches of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, including the one that he delivered on the floor of the Parliament as well as his addresses to the nation, in detail. The bench issued directives to the counsel for Nawaz Sharif to assist the court over confusion about the Premier's speeches and addresses to the nation during the next hearing of the case.
The bench also sought a comprehensive presentation pertaining to details about financial transactions between the Prime Minister and his children. Meanwhile, the bench also accepted for hearing a plea of Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the petitioners disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his contradiction statements on the floor of the Parliament and before the nation. The bench issued notices to the respondents, including Premier Nawaz Sharif. Justice Khosa asked the counsel for the JI to commence his arguments soon after completion of Makhdoom Ali Khan's arguments in the matter. The hearing of the case was adjourned till Thursday (today).