Sharif’s son again quizzed by JIT in Panama Papers case

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son Hussain Nawaz was today questioned for the second time in three days by a Supreme Court-appointed joint investigation team that is probing his family’s business dealings abroad in the high-profile Panama Papers case.

Hussain who had raised objection about two members of the six-member JIT said that he would again go to the court if he finds attitude of the investigators partial.

A large number of workers and leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz were present in the premises of building where the probe was held.

It was second time since Sunday that Hussain appeared before the JIT where he spent about five hour – first waiting for about two hours for the interrogation to begin and another three hours facing the questions of the team.

“I appeared before the JIT even though I am fasting and will do so again if summoned,” Hussain said.

He said he answered all questions and submitted all documents.

A dramatic scene was created when an ambulance with doctor was rushed to the JIT headquarters while Hussain was inside the premises. It later turned out that it was called for the president of National Bank of Pakistan who was called for questioning and suddenly felt unwell.

The JIT had submitted an initial report before the Supreme Court on May 22 and was asked to complete its probe in 60 days.

The JIT was set up following a decision by the Supreme Court on April 20 regarding Panama Paper case. The JIT has to submit fortnightly progress reports to the court.

Sharif had got a temporary breather from the Supreme Court which said there was “insufficient evidence” to remove him from office but ordered setting up of a JIT to probe the graft allegations against his family.

The high-profile graft case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in 1990s when he twice served as the Prime Minister to purchase assets in London.

Information about the assets surfaced when Panama Papers last year showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif’s children.

PTI