ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned hearing a slew of petitions seeking a probe into Panama papers till Tuesday.

The five-member larger bench discussed the alleged money laundering by Sharif family and Ishaq Dar in the purview of latter’s confessional statement.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted details regarding the confessional statements of Ishaq Dar pertaining to money laundering charges.

According to NAB’s submitted reply, Ishaq Dar applied for pardon on April 20, 2000. NAB chairman accepted the petition the very next day.

On April 25, Ishaq Dar recorded his confessional statement before the magistrate.

Counsel for Ishaq Dar, Shahid Hamid kicked off his arguments by expressing that the petition for disqualification of Ishaq dar and intra-court appeals were dismissed.

Shahid Hamid expressed that the referee judge dismissed NAB’s petition to reinvestigate the case adding that the affidavit of approver can not be used against him.

Justice Gulzar inquired whether this decision was challenged in the apex court or not.

To this, Shahid Hamid replied that the decision was not challenged and the duration for filing appeal against the court decision also expired.

Justice Asif Khosa remarked that the referee judge had to pass judgement regarding money laundering on the basis of his opinion adding that the larger bench would question prosecutor NAB after the arguments of Shahid Hamid.

He went on and categorically observed that Ishaq Dar was no more an accused individual after the apology.

‘The confessional statement of Ishaq Dar can be used against premier Nawaz Sharif instead of Dar himself’ remarked justice Khosa.

Meanwhile, counsel for premier, Makhdoom Ali Khan also submitted details regarding property settlement between Sharif family after the demise of Mian Sharif in a closed envelope.

Salman Akram Raja’s arguments

The counsel Salman Akram Raja for Hussain and Hassan Nawaz started his arguments before the larger bench to clarify the ownership of London flats and offshore companies.

He argued that the beneficial owner of London flats was Hussain Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif had no link with said flats adding that it was well established that Dubai factory was set up in 1973.

According to Salman, Mian Sharif was well versed with steel business as he had a experience of four decades under his belt.

Salman went on and claimed that there was a conflict in the petition filed by the plaintiff adding that the court enjoyed expanded liberty regarding exercising the article 184/3 of the constitution.

‘The court should investigate the case regarding the prevalent law as the onus of proof rests with the plaintiff’ said Salman Akram Raja.

The counsel argued that Tariq Shafi submitted affidavit regarding collection of Rs. 12 million AED.

To this justice Azmat Saeed observed that the affidavit had no information regarding the payment of dues.

Salman replied that Rs. 12 million were paid in two instalments while Rs. 2 million were received in six successive instalments.

Justice Azmat Saeed posed a question to Salman inquiring about the mode of payment while quipping that whether camels were harnessed for transferring money.

Justize Aijaz said that the premier maintained that the record was available regarding the money trail.

Salman expressed that he was not shifting his burden on to anyone adding that businesses around the world use cash for their operation and it should not be misinterpreted.

To this, justice Azmat Saeed replied that no one was left to whom you can transfer your burden.

Salman reiterated that payment to Qatari family was in form of cash, however he was not aware how the money was recovered. He expressed that he was representative for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz and so he should be inquired regarding the concerned individuals.

Justice Aijaz Afzal remarked that the Sharif family needed to prove that the flats did not belong to Nawaz Sharif.

‘Hussain Nawaz needed to prove that the London flats belonged to him and not to Nawaz Sharif’ remarked Justice Aijaz Afzal.

Talking to newsmen during the break, PTI’s representative Fawad Chaudhry claimed that Ishaq Dar was overseeing the financial interests of Nawaz Sharif adding that the loans were settled against Hudaibia paper mills.

On the other hand, Anusha Rehman of PML-N observed that the confessional statement of Ishaq Dar had no tangible value adding that 13 judges disposed off the case of Hudaibia paper mills.