ISLAMABAD - Joint Investigation Team Head on Panama Papers Wajid Zia on Thursday informed the Accountability Court that JIT did not find any such documents to testify that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was a signatory authority in the Flagship Investment.
Responding to the cross-questioning of Khawaja Harris, the Defence Counsel of Nawaz Sharif in the Flagship Investment Reference, Prosecutor’s witness Wajid Zia informed the Accountability Court that Hassan Nawaz while recording his statement before the Panama JIT did not elucidate regarding the Flagship investment.
The hearing of Flagship Investment Reference against Nawaz Sharif resumed on Thursday at the NAB Accountability Court. The hearing was presided over by Judge Accountability Court Arshad Malik.
Owing to deteriorated law and order situation in the twin cities, Nawaz Sharif was exempted from the court’s appearance for Thursday’s hearing and therefore his statement could not be recorded.
Meanwhile, cross-questioning with Panama JIT team Head Wajid Zia also could not be concluded in the Flagship Investment Reference. Khawaja Harris, the Defence Counsel of Nawaz Sharif, continued cross-questioning with Prosecutor’s witness Wajid Zia.
Zia informed the Accountability Court that Panama JIT team did not get any such evidence and documents to testify Nawaz Sharif had provided amount for establishment of Flagship Investment. Any such bank account was not identified at national and foreign level to prove that Nawaz Sharif provided amount for investment in the Flagship Investment.
He also added that Hassan Nawaz did not approve that Nawaz Sharif had provided amount for investment in the Flagship Investment.
Zia also informed the Accountability Court that the Supreme court of Pakistan sought details about formation of the Flagship Investment, adding details as provided in the apex court and statement of Hassan Nawaz recoded before the Panama JIT were contradictory.
It was not elucidated in the details provided by the apex court that Nawaz Sharif provided amount for formation of the Flagship Investment, Zia said, adding the Panama JIT also did not get any such documents and evidence to testify that Nawaz Sharif was a signatory authority in the Flagship Investment.
He said that Hassan Nawaz also failed to satisfy the Panama JIT on queries asked about the Flagship Investment. During proper Investigation, it was ascertained that the stance of Hassan Nawaz about the Flagship Investment was baseless.
Zia revealed that as per Legal Mutual Assistance (MLA) received from UAE, the stance of Hassan Nawaz proved wrong and false. Hassan Nawaz had provided documents along with worksheet, financial statement. All the documents provided by Hassan Nawaz were analysed and it was concluded that stance of Hassan Nawaz was baseless.
On personal statement of Wajid Zia, Defence Counsel Khawaja Harris expressing his displeasure stated that he asked only two to three questions but Prosecutor’s witness Wajid Zia use to make self-statement. This self-statement of Wajid Zia wastes the time of the court.
Later, Judge Accountability Court Arshad Malik remarked that should the court hold hearing on the Flagship Investment Reference even on Saturday. On this, Khawaja Harris contended that hearing on this reference couldn’t be held on Saturday. Hearing on Flagship investment reference adjourned for Friday (November 02).