Will SC, institutions clarify position on flawed probe of Panama JIT?
The flawed probe by Panama JIT led the IHC to acquit Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain Retd Safdar in the Avenfield corruption reference.
The acquittal of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised questions about the standards of the high-powered probe led by top national institutions in the Panama Papers’ Joint Investigation Team (JIT) following the orders of the Supreme Court (SC).
The flawed probe by Panama JIT led the IHC to acquit Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain Retd Safdar in the Avenfield corruption reference that raised many questions regarding the performance of the top national institutions considered as the pillars of the state.
Analysts questioned whether the SC and other institutions involved in Panama JIT will provide satisfactory answers regarding the flawed probe. They said that the answers will help to remove the flawed criteria of investigations and inquiries into high-profile corruption cases in the future.
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Analysts added that a probe should also be launched into the poor probe of the Panama JIT that will also assist the victims of the flawed judgements as a result of the wrong verdicts given by the judiciary.
Yesterday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) overturned the July 2018 verdict, acquitting Maryam Nawaz and Captain Retd Safdar in the Avenfield corruption reference.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, presided over the hearing during which the court heard arguments from both sides.
Justice Kayani remarked that the opinion of the investigating officer could not be considered as evidence. “The joint investigation team did not present any fact, it just collected information,” he observed.
In a brief order, the IHC stated, “For the reasons to be recorded later, the instant appeal is allowed and the judgement dated July 6, 2018, is set aside.”
It added that Maryam and Captain Safdar’s convictions have been set aside and they have been acquitted of the charges in the reference.
Maryam’s acquittal made her eligible for contesting elections.
