Tariq Shafi, cousin of PM Nawaz, records statement before Panama JIT

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s cousin Tariq Shafi who is a key member of Sharif Family looking after their businesses reached Federal Judicial Complex to record his statement before the Joint Investigation Team in Panamagate Case.

According to media reports on Sunday, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali drove Shafi to the judicial complex for the questioning.

The investigation team, probing offshore wealth of Sharif family, had summoned the prime minister’s relative on Sunday.

After first appearance in May, Shafi accused the members of probe body of harassment and filed a formal complaint with JIT Chief Wajid Zia. In the letter, Shafi’s lawyer has stated that a JIT member threatened his client with serious consequences if he didn't withdraw the affidavit submitted by him in the Supreme Court.

During the hearing of the Panama Papers case, he submitted two affidavits in the apex court — on Nov 12, 2016 and Jan 20, 2017 — confirming receipt of 12 million Dirhams as sale proceeds of the remaining shares of Mian Sharif's factory in Dubai and delivery of the said amount in cash in installments to Fahad Bin Jassim of Qatar (elder brother of Hamad Bin Jassim). This money later became the source of funds for acquisition of the four Park Lane properties in London, the Supreme Court was told earlier this year.

JIT has also summoned Hassan Nawaz on July 3 and Hussain Nawaz on July 4 for questioning as well.

The joint investigation team has also summoned Maryam Nawaz on 5th July.