ISLAMABAD: A nine-judge larger bench of Supreme Court will take up petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on June 9 seeking an investigation against all Pakistanis named in Panama Papers.

Bench comprising Justice Sardar Tariq Masud and Justice Ameenuddin Khan will hear case filed in August 2016 next week. JI chief had asked court to investigate all 436 Pakistanis whose names are mentioned in Panama Papers. In April 2016, some 200 and later on 400 more people were figured in Panama Papers. They included businessmen and politicians from Pakistan, including members of Premier Nawaz Sharif’s family accused of setting up offshore companies in tax havens.

Notices have been issued to Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and others made party in petition.

In its petition, Jamaat-e-Islami has prayed to top court to direct federation to initiate an inquiry into Panama Leaks under Article 184(3) of Constitution without mentioning name of any politician or businessman, alleged to be involved in establishing offshore companies.

JI ameer submitted, “A large number of persons, many of them holders of public offices were also allegedly involved in commission of said offences and had not mentioned in details of their assets about their investments through offshore companies, so all such holders of public offices were liable to be disqualified from their offices and also be punished accordingly.”

Instead of making any politician or businessman respondent, petitioner chose to make Federation of Pakistan, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Finance, Cabinet Division and National Accountability Bureau through its chairman as respondents. Petitioner recalled that despite fact that apex court on May 16, 2016 had demanded list of owners of said offshore companies and details of individuals, families, groups, companies etc, which were required by “Commission of Inquiry”, but respondent (government) deliberately did not provide list.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 03 2023

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