ISLAMABAD: A five member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa on Tuesday continued hearing of Panama Papers Case, Aaj News reported.Â
Shahid Hamid, the counsel of Maryam Nawaz, submitted reply of his client before the court containing details of assets and taxes paid by her on agriculture and non-agriculture income.
The reply says that Maryam Nawaz is not dependent on her father since her marriage.
The counsel said that the spouse of Maryam Nawaz also pays his taxes regularly. In 2012, she had filed Rs2,314,917 as income tax, Rs6,517,504 in 2013, Rs8,872,742 in 2014, Rs9,340,243 in 2015 and Rs12,128,778 in 2016 reportedly.
Maryam Nawaz's reply further stated that five homes comprise the Raiwind Estate which she said belongs to her paternal grandmother. Around 45.5 acres of 48 acres are under her grandmother's supervision, the reply said.
Makhdoom Ali Khan, the counsel of the Prime Minister also submitted his arguments before the bench.
“We have asked for a constitutional immunity under Article-248 besides Article-66,†said Makhdoom Ali Khan.
The premier’s counsel while making arguments said that Article-248 grants immunity to the prime minister’s office, not PM Sharif himself.
PM’s counsel continued that Article-19 allows everyone to exercise his or her right of freedom of speech.
On which Justice Khosa remarked, “Your case does not fall into the fold of Article-19."  “Article-19 gives you freedom of speech, but you are not seeking that right, you are seeking immunity", he added.
Later, the court adjourned hearing till tomorrow (Wednesday).
In last hearing on Monday, the counsel for Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif, Makhdoom Ali Khan argued before the Supreme Court that his client enjoys constitutional immunity which bars lawsuits from proceedings against him.
Khan said the court has to examine the speech of his client made in the Parliament in view of the provisions of Article 66 of the Constitution, which protect the freedom of speech in the Parliament.
Responding to Justice Asif Saeed Khosa’s remarks if the constitutional immunity can be withdrawn, Makhdoom Ali Khan said it’s the prerogative of the Parliament.
Khan alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan wants Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification because according to him, he is not Sadiq (truthful) and Ameen (trustworthy).
