JIT refuses Hussain Nawaz's counsel to assist him in probe

• JIT questions Hussain Nawaz for over an hour in Panama Case;
• Saad Hashmi accompanied Nawaz's son during his appearance
• Khawaja Haris is lead counsel assisting Sharif family in probe;
• Hussain is allowed time for some written queries till tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted in the backdrop of the Panamagate probe on Sunday refused to allow Hussain Nawaz's counsel to assist him in the investigation.

Hussain Nawaz reported gave answers to some of the queries of the JIT while sought time for replying some of the questions. He was, however, allowed two days' time to answered some of the queries the JIT handed over to Hussain Nawaz and see the JIT tomorrow (Tuesday) again.

Earlier today, Hussain appeared before the team, tasked with investigating the Sharif family's offshore properties, to record his statement in the case.

Sources disclosed that Saad Hashmi advocate accompanied Hussain Nawaz during his appearance. According to the team members, Hashmi could only be allowed to assist his client if allowed by the Supreme Court. Hussain then appeared alone before the JIT in a separate room.

It is learnt that Khawaja Haris is the lead counsel assisting the Sharif family in the investigation. He will appear on Hussain Nawaz' behalf before the three-judge special bench on Monday, which will take up Hussain plea against two JIT members.

Hussain had raised questions on the impartiality of Amer Aziz and Bilal Rasool, respectively representing the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in the six-member team.

Meanwhile, it is learnt the JIT has started probing Rs1.2 billion Hudabiya Paper Mills scam of money laundering against Sharif family. The team has summoned incumbent CEO National Bank Saeed Ahmad for questioning on Saturday.

According to Dar, a foreign currency account of Saeed Ahmad, former State Bank deputy governor and current president of the National Bank of Pakistan, was used to deposit huge funds to obtain direct and indirect credit lines.

Legal experts say the JIT now seems to be moving in the realm of Hudabiya scam in view of the fact that Ahmad was summoned to record his statement.

Hussain is the second high-profile individual to appear before the probe body after PM's cousin Tariq Shafi who was thoroughly questioned by the JIT.

In view of a recent directive from the Supreme Court that the JIT should conclude and complete its investigations within the allotted 60-day period, the JIT has been working even on weekends to meet the deadline.

Agencies add: 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz has Sunday reached Judicial Academy in Islamabad to record his statement before Joint Investigation Team (JIT) regarding Panama case.

Hussain Nawaz went back after the interrogation that continued for two hours by JIT. The counsel of Prime Minister's son was along with him during the hearing.

Leaders and workers of Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were gathered in large number outside the Judicial Academy to support Hussain Nawaz, who went away without talking to media.

Sources have revealed that Hussain Nawaz is likely to be summoned again by JIT. Before the hearing of this case, Hussain said no questionnaire or any other document has been given to him yet. He said he would avoid to comment on any hypothesis.

Hussain further added that he received the notice to appear before JIT yesterday, and was given only 24 hours to report.

In a brief media talk before the hearing, Hussain Nawaz told that he received a notice to appear before JIT yesterday (Saturday), and was given the time of only 24 hours to report. He said that he will face JIT along with his counsel, and if he is not allowed to do that, he will give his viewpoint afterwards.

Hussain Nawaz further added that no questionnaire or any other document has been given to him yet. He said he would give his stance before the JIT, and avoid to talk on any hypothesis.

It is worth mentioning here that Hussain Nawaz earlier submitted a five-page application in Supreme Court's registry raising objections on impartiality of two members of JIT, constituted to probe Sharif family's offshore assets.

The application stated that Bilal Rasool, a member of JIT from Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), has inclinations towards a political party as he is real nephew of Mian Muhammad Azhar, who alongside his immediate family members, is a fervent aide of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Details of social media accounts of Bilal Rasool's wife were also mentioned in the application which showed her bias as she had posted several status in PTI's favor but later deleted them following JIT's formation.

"This act of hers, in fact, raised alarms in the mind of the undersigned, as her removal of posts from her social media account indicates her anxiety to conceal her loyalty, devotion and unremitting support for the PTI," stated the application.

Hussain's reservations regarding another member, Ahmer Aziz, stemmed from the fact that he was part of National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) team probing Hudabya Paper Mills case during Musharraf's era.

Ahmer Aziz is a representative of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

"Mr Ahmer's induction in the JIT was received with skepticism as regards his impartiality, as it was recalled that he formed core part of the NAB's investigation that had been carried out in respect of Hudabya Paper Mills during General Musharraf's dictatorial regime," narrated in the application.

Hussain urged the country's top court to "kindly pass appropriate orders in the interest of justice, equity and fair play to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the case".

Responding to Hussain Nawaz's objection, PTI Chaimran Imran Khan said it is not surprising to hear that Hussain Nawaz is reluctant to appear before JIT. His father, Nawaz Sharif, also couldn't play cricket under neutral umpires.

Imran said it seems that the habit of controlling everything runs through their family, and that is the reason he is reluctant to appear before JIT