ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan to submit details of all gifts given by Hussain Nawaz to his father and gifts given by Nawaz Sharif to his daughter Maryam Nawaz.
A five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khos, comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmad, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan heard the case filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) and others seeking investigation into Panama Papers.
During the course of proceedings, advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan while continuing his arguments said that his client gave gifts to his daughter through banks.
Makhdoom Ali Khan refuted the allegations of tax avoidance and said exchange of gifts between the prime minister and his children were done through banks.
Justice Gulzar Ahmad asked Makhdoom why verified bank documents were not submitted before the court. Makhdoom Ali Khan replied that it was a difficult process to obtain certificates from all the banks.
The documents, if court desired, could be provided, he added.
The lawyer said that submission of documents regarding the transactions was not necessary since he had already informed the court that gifts were transferred through the banks. He added that if the court asked for such documents, details of the accounts will be provided.
The gifts to his daughter are mentioned in the prime minister’s wealth and income tax returns, which have been submitted in the court, Makhdoom said.
Next hearing of the case will held on Thursday (tomorrow).
