ISLAMABAD: All eyes are on the Supreme Court as the five-member Panama case bench will announce its verdict shortly.
The decision of the Panama Papers case will be announced by the original five-member bench that heard the landmark case from January this year. The bench was expected to begin proceedings at 11:30am.
The bench comprises Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.
The landmark verdict will be announced in Courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq — the petitioners in the case — are expected to be present in the court when the verdict is read out.
Moreover, members of the federal government, as well as other opposition parties, also plan to be present in court.
Strict security measures are in place in the capital's Red Zone — where the Supreme Court is situated — with around 3,000 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary, Islamabad Police, and Punjab Rangers deployed for the purpose.
The first 'judgment'
Hearing the Panama Papers case since January year, the five-judge Supreme Court bench delivered its much-anticipated order in the case on April 20.
In a 3-2 split decision, the majority judges determined that the available evidence was insufficient to disqualify the prime minister outright and directed for the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate the case and collect evidence, if any, showing that "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif or any of his dependents or benamidar owns, possesses or acquired assets or any interest therein disproportionate to their known means of income".
The apex court also observed that after the JIT's final report is presented, "the matter of disqualification [of Nawaz Sharif] shall be considered".
The JIT report and its aftermath
The JIT, formed in light of the apex court’s April 20 judgment to probe the Sharif family’s money trail, submitted its 60-day investigation report to the court on July 10.
The report highlighted the failure of the Sharif family to provide a money trail for its London apartments and claimed the prime minister and his children own assets beyond their known sources of income.
Following the report's submission, the special bench — headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed — issued notices to the parties to submit their responses.
The special implementation bench reserved its decision on July 21 after hearing arguments over the JIT report from both sides.
In his remarks at the last hearing, Justice Ejaz stated that the bench was already reviewing the matter of the prime minister’s disqualification, while Justice Ijaz remarked that the court would not back down from its decision.
The petitioners include Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed, and Sirajul Haq, while the respondents are the prime minister, members of his family, as well as several government-related officials and departments.
'All eyes on Supreme Court’
PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said all eyes are on the Supreme Court. “Every Pakistani is watching with anticipation what the future of democracy will be in the country.”
Qureshi said his party wanted to create a culture of free and fair elections in the country, adding that the verdict of the apex court will strengthen institutions.
‘Nation is with Nawaz Shairf’
State Water and Power Minister Abid Sher Ali said the nation stands with Nawaz Sharif. “The biggest allegation against Nawaz Sharif is that he has brought development to Pakistan,” the PML-N leader stressed.
PM Nawaz chairs meeting
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is chairing a meeting of legal aides, advisers and federal ministers ahead of the Pamana Papers verdict.
According to sources, the prime minister will watch the verdict of the case at the PM House.
Imran will not be at SC
PTI Chairman Imran Khan will not be attending the hearing at the apex court.
Earlier reports had stated that the PTI chief — one of the three petitioners in the Panama Papers case — would be present in court.
‘No one will dare loot public wealth after today’
Addressing the media, PTI leader Naeemul Haq said today will prove to be a historic day for Pakistan. “Till now, Pakistan was robbed of its wealth by its rulers,” he said, adding that Imran Khan’s quest of wiping Pakistan of corruption, which he began 21 years ago, will bear fruit today.
“No one will dare loot public wealth after today,” said Haq.
‘Expect justice from SC’
State Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb spoke with reporters, stating that she expected justice from the Supreme Court. “We assisted the court however we were told and even the prime minister wrote a letter on Panama to the Supreme Court.
‘Panama Papers foreign conspiracy’
Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has termed the Panama Papers a foreign conspiracy which targeted Nawaz Sharif, Putin and Cameron. . The minister claimed that PTI chairman Imran Khan became a part of the conspiracy for personal gain. According to Rafique no institution of Pakistan was part of the conspiracy.
‘Accountability for all’
JI chief Siraj-ul-Haq has called for accountability for the over 435 people named in the Panama Papers. “This is necessary for democracy,” Haq told reporters outside the apex court.
‘Will accept decision’
AML chief Sheikh Rashid told reporters that he would accept the decision of the Supreme Court. Rashid added that it was Imran Khan’s decision whether he would accept the verdict or not.
‘Day for supremacy of law’
PTI leader Babar Awan said today was a day for the supremacy of law, adding that the sun would rise with hope for a more prosperous Pakistan.
Fawad Chaudhry said people had been exposed during the proceedings of the case. The PTI spokesman added that everyone was in agreement that Pakistan should move forward politically.
Sindh Assembly session rescheduled
In light of the forthcoming ruling, the timing of Sindh Assembly's session today in Karachi was revised to 3pm.
The session was previously set to commence at 10am.
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