Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's cousin, Tariq Shafi - a key member of the Sharif family looking after its businesses - on Sunday made a second appearance before the joint investigation team (JIT) probing offshore properties of the ruling family. Talking to media persons after appearing before the JIT, Tariq Shafi said that he answered all the questions posed by the team relating to the Gulf Steel Mills in Dubai and business in Qatar of Sharif family.
Answering to a question, he said that he expects the JIT would not summon him again. He said that he did not provide any new documents to the JIT. The Prime Minister's cousin, who appeared for the second time before the probing team, was driven into the JIT secretariat by Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali. Tariq Shafi previously appeared before the JIT on May 15 to record his statement.
According to the sources, the JIT had summoned the members of Sharif family for the second time after investigators found contrast between statements recorded by them and the documents submitted by relevant government departments. They said that the investigation team tasked with probing the business dealings of the Sharif family is entering a crucial stage, with the investigation heading towards conclusion.
The sources said that the JIT is in the process of winding up the probe by next week, after which it would finish compiling the final investigation report by the second week of July before it was submitted to the Supreme Court by the July 10 deadline. During the previous hearing of the Panama Papers case, Tariq Shafi had submitted two affidavits in the Supreme Court dated November 12, 2016 and January 20, 2017, confirming receipt of 12 million dirhams as sale proceeds of the remaining shares of Sharif Family's Steel Mills in Dubai and delivery of the said amount in cash in installments to Fahad Bin Jassim of Qatar (elder brother of Qatari Prince Hamad Bin Jassim).
Meanwhile, the JIT has also summoned the Prime Minister's sons Hasan Nawaz today (Monday) and Hussain Nawaz on Tuesday while his daughter Maryam Nawaz would make her maiden appearance before the team on July 5 (Wednesday). Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar would appear before JIT today (Monday) at 3:00 pm. According to the sources, JIT has issued notice to Finance Minister. The source said that the JIT already has issued two notices to Finance Minister.
The summons also asked the respondents to bring forth relevant documents related to the Sharif family's financial assets. Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said while talking to media that PML-N government's top priority is serving the nation. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would continue his efforts for the development of the country despite creation of hurdles by his opponents. He urged the Supreme Court to take notice of statements of opposition parties regarding investigation of JIT. He said the opponents are issuing statements like a spokesperson of JIT and PML-N has reservations over these acts.
He said the PML-N respects national institutions and expects fair, transparent and merit-based investigation by JIT. He said the opponents have completely failed to produce sufficient evidence and documentary proof in connection with allegations of corruption and money laundering against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family. The minister said that despite having right of immunity, the Prime Minister did not avail the opportunity to seek exception from appearing before the court.
He said that negative politics of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is a threat to democracy. He advised Imran Khan to follow the Prime Minister and appear before the courts for accountability of allegations leveled against him. He said that in the past, General Pervez Musharraf (retd) had also failed to prove corruption allegations against Nawaz Shairf and his family.