ISLAMABAD: Hussain Nawaz was the beneficial owner of the London flats, said the counsel of PM's children as the top court resumed hearing of Panama papers Case on Tuesday, Aaj News reported.Â
The five-member larger bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa raised questions regarding the London flats in today's proceedings.
The counsel for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, Salman Akram Raja, continued his arguments before the apex court. Raja informed the court that Hussain Nawaz was the beneficial owner of the London flats. Hassan and Hussain Nawaz were residing in the flats during 1993 while they were studying in London. The Sharif family children were maintaining residence at the flats by paying rent and that the property was purchased in 2006. He added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had no connection with the London flats.
During the hearing, Justice Khosa observed, “We can presume that Mian Sharif invested 12 million Dirhams in Qatari family’s real estate business and it is possible they acquired London flats using that money."
The Sharif family counsel expressed inability to name the owner of two offshore companies, Neilson and Nescoll, which acquired London flats in 1993.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa further observed that they have no information about the original owner of both the companies.
Meanwhile, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked that the entire story is based on Qatari investment but PM;s speeches do not contain such information.
The bench directed the counsel of Hassan and Hussain Nawaz that he may ask the Qatari family how they got the London flats. Justice Khosa further asked Salman Akram Raja to present record of his clients’ education in the UK.
Later, the court adjourned hearing of Panama Paper case till tomorrow (Wednesday).
Read : Panamagate case: PM’s counsel submits property details in SC
In last hearing, Makhdoom Ali Khan, the counsel of the Prime Minister submitted details about the properties and their settlement amongst the family members of the prime minister.
Shahid Hamid, Counsel of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also completed his arguments, maintained that Dar’s confessional statement could not be used against him since he had been acquitted in the Hudaibiya reference.
Dar’s counsel asserted that his client cannot be disqualified on the basis of these allegations because the money laundering case against him had been dropped.
