SC Issues Notices To Imran, Jehangir In Hanif Abbassi's Petitions

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 07th Nov, 2016 ) : The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Secretary General of PTI Jehangir Khan Tareen with direction to submit their replies on petitions submitted against them pertaining to allegations of ownership of offshore companies.

The court, however, rejected the plea of petitioner Hanif Abbasi's counsel, asking the apex court to club his petitions along with those being heard by a five-member bench of the Supreme Court in connection with the Panama Papers leaks on the grounds of similar nature of allegations.

The bench remarked that a decision will be taken in this regard after the submission of respondent's reply. A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Anwer Zaheer Jamali heard the petition against the PTI chief Imran Khan and PTI's Secretary General Jehangir Khan Tareen regarding the probe of panama papers.

The petitioner has filed two separate petitions seeking disqualification of Imran Khan and Jehangir Khan Tareen over alleged tax evasion and hiding of assets. The petitions were filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution through Advocate Akram Sheikh.

During the course of proceedings, Akram Shiekh counsel for Hanif Abbassi appeared before the court and informed that Names of Imran Khan and Jehangir Tareen also included in Panama papers.

He said that Imran Khan earned money through illegal sources as he purchased assets in United Kingdom through offshore company namely Niazi Services Limited.

He said that Imran Khan also submitted wrong declaration in the Election Commission of Pakistan. He also alleged that Imran Khan invested in real estate and purchased a piece of 300 kanal land in Bani Gala, Islamabad which was not mentioned in the declaration submitted before the ECP.

The PTI chairman also purchased a luxury flat in the Diplomatic Enclave which was also not mentioned in the declaration. He also claimed that Jehangir Khan evaded Rs 120 million tax only in year 2010 and Rs 160 million tax in 2011 besides taking loan of billions of rupees written off from various banks.

He said that Jehangir Tareen also own offshore company according to Panama Papers. He pleaded the court to disqualify Jehangir Tareen and issue order for re-election in NA-154 constituency. The bench directed both the respondents to submit their reply by November 15 and adjourned the hearing of the case for same date.