Panamagate: JIT submits first fortnightly report to Pak SC

Islamabad, May 22

A high-profile investigation team probing the graft allegations against Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his two sons on Monday submitted its first fortnightly report to the Supreme Court.

The apex court in its judgment on April 20 had asked the government to set up the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the allegations that the Sharif's family properties in London were purchased with ill-gotten money.

The court accepted the report and also expressed satisfaction over the progress of the case.

"We are not dissatisfied with the investigation," said Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, one of three member panel of judges overseeing the probe.

The report was not made public.

Under the court orders of April 20, the JIT would complete the investigation within 60 days. But it must share a fortnightly report with the court.

The court warned JIT chief Wajid Zia that no additional time would be given to the team. He was also ordered to share if there was any hurdle in carrying out the probe.

The next hearing will be held in two weeks when second fortnightly report would be submitted.

The case is rooted in the Panama Papers which showed that Sharif's family owned offshore companies which managed the London properties.

The JIT has so far not questioned Sharif or his two sons which would be crucial to take to investigations to logical end.

Sharif narrowly survived in three-two judgement in his favour in allegations of corruption in the Panama Papers case.

The case against Sharif emerged last year after the Panama Papers leak linked his children to offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands in relation to the purchase of upmarket property in London.

Opposition figures have accused Sharif of failing to explain the source of the offshore money and lying to parliament. Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) last week gave a seven-day deadline to Sharif to resign on the Panama Papers scandal otherwise they will launch a nationwide movement against him. — PTI