PM's son vows not to allow anyone to insult the mandate

• Hussain Nawaz appears before Panamagate JIT for sixth time; 
• Says still stand by words that there is no evidence against them
• 'I am your daughter, trained by you, will neither cower down, 
• nor yield to pressure' Mariyum tweets before her appearance

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz appeared sixth time before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for Panama case probe on Tuesday.

The premier's son was interrogated for five hours in which the investigation team asked questions about the money trail and offshore accounts held by the Sharif family. The JIT has six days left to submit the final report to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which is due on July 10.

Speaking to media personnel outside the Judicial Academy where he had been summoned by the Joint Investigation Team for the sixth time, Hussain Nawaz said that he stood by his earlier statement that no evidence existed against his family with regard to allegations of money laundering or corruption. 

Hussain Nawaz said that the investigation body had deliberately stretched the proceedings unnecessarily and the questions asked could be easily completed in two sittings.

He said that his family has cooperated with JIT and answered all questions, and even waiting impatiently before the final report is presented to the Supreme Court. "The questions asked were enough for two session," he said. "There was not need to make six appearances before the JIT," adding that it was prolonged to create confusion and further doubts.

He reiterated that the JIT doesn't have any evidence against his family of any wrongdoing, and allegations of money laundering were non-existent. "In case they have any evidence, then they should initiate proceedings against us," he said.

Comparing the Panama Papers to the Bhutto murder case and the plane hijacking case, Hassan Nawaz said it was an attempt to cause discord and disharmony in the country.

He said that eye witnesses presented in the plane hijacking case were false, and now they are still present in front of the courts. He warned that they will not allow any conspiracies to snatch their mandate through unconstitutional means.

He further said that the connection of Nawaz Sharif with the family's foreign assets should be made public so that it can clear all doubts. He appeared unaware of the visit of JIT member to Doha, Qatar to quiz the former Qatari prime minister.

Hussain Nawaz said that if there existed any evidence against Nawaz Sharif or his family, then action should be taken. "However, if you have no evidence, then do not spread doubts," he said.

He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman for not being able to present the Bani Gala money trail.

Hussain Nawaz made his sixth appearance before the JIT headed by Federal Investigation Agency additional director Wajid Zia. 

The Prime Minister's daughter Mariyam Nawaz is scheduled to face the JIT for the first time on June 5 (Wednesday).

The JIT had a hectic day on Monday as it the PM's younger son Hassan Nawaz and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. The JIT questioned Hassan Nawaz for around three hours and Dar for a little over half an hour.

Ishaq Dar disowned before the JIT the confessional statement he gave in Hudaibya Paper Mills case in year 2000 that the Sharifs used the paper mill to whiten the black money. He said he had turned approver in the case and give such a statement before the court to save his life.

The JIT is winding up the probe as it is required to submit its final report before the Supreme Court by the deadline of July 10. It has been given 60 days to probe the Sharif family's properties and the money trail behind it as part of the verdict announced in the Panama Papers case.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed neither to "cower down nor yield to pressure" in her appearance before Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

The JIT probing offshore properties of the Sharif family has summoned Maryam Nawaz to appear before it for the first time on July 5, Wednesday.

In a series of tweets today, Maryam Nawaz said that her father has seen and been through "most testing times, in the 30+ years of his political career acing out his rivals" yet as an affectionate and protective father, she saw his eyes filled with concern and apprehensions over his daughter's appearance before JIT.

"I told him that I am your daughter, trained by you, will neither cower down, nor yield to pressure & nothing will deter me from taking up the cudgels against transgression and injustice. Will appear before the JIT, follow the rule of law as you always have," Maryam Nawaz wrote on Twitter.

Soon after this series of four tweets, Maryam wrote "See you tomorrow, Insha'Allah!"

The apex court appointed JIT had also summoned the premier's sons, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, to appear before it for further investigation on July 3 and 4 respectively.

The week is being deemed significant for the probing team as the six-member JIT is due to present its final report before the apex court on July 10.

Hussain Nawaz - the elder son of the prime minister - has appeared before the JIT for interrogation six times so far. - NNI