Finally the joint investigation team formed by the Supreme Court to probe into matters relating to Panama Papers submitted its final report before a three-member Bench of the Apex Court. The implementation bench, constituted as a consequence of a judgment of the Larger Bench, is headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal. The Bench on the request of the head of the JIT, it was directed that volume ten of the report should not be declassified. The Bench said the process of mudslinging must also stop. The court will hear both the petitioner, namely Imran Khan and others, and the respondents, before handing down its final verdict. The JIT pointed out failure on the part of the Sharifs to produce the required information that would confirm their known sources of income, saying that prima facie, it amounted to saying that they were not able to reconcile their assets with their means of income.
PM Nawaz Sharif presented himself and his family for accountability while Imran Khan on the other hand avoiding legal forums for accountability. PTI is also facing allegations leveled against the party in foreign funding case. PTI also fails to submit reply in Supreme Court of Pakistan. Even Election Commission of Pakistan has given last chance to party to submit reply, but the party has miserably failed to reply. The JIT concluded its investigation to collect evidences against Sharif’s family. Prime Minister and his family presented themselves for accountability and set an example that no one is above the law. Panama papers case is about the financial probity of the prime minister and his family but it has become bigger than the inherent legal process of accountability and it is difficult to prove conspiracies and the evidence to that effect is mixed. Pakistan’s restive middle class has been clamoring for accountability of political parties.
While Imran Khan and other opposition leaders have asked for the PM to resign the tone of Sharif camp remains defiant. Another protracted legal battle awaits but it is going to detabilise the government and spells instability for the economy. In the prevailing situation some observers are advising the PM Nawaz to step down until the inquiry is complete and a final judgment is issued by the apex court. The report has put PML-N on defensive position and so for it has rejected the report and consulting with legal minds to face the challenge. PML-N has decided to raise its reservations before the apex court when provided with the time to present its stance. In the prevailing scenario, all political parties should act with more maturity, avoid creating extra hype and wait for the court’s final decision. All political parties should play their due role for the stability and protection of nascent democratic system of the country. It is only the way forward for the progress and prosperity of the country and imperative for competing modern world. We hope Supreme Court will take decision on merit and it decision will end uncertainty.
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