JIT recommends reopening 15 cases against Sharif

The Panamagate joint investigation team (JIT) has recommended reopening five cases decided by the Lahore High Court (LHC), eight investigations and two inquiries against Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Of these 15 cases, three were registered during the 1994 and 2011 tenures of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and 12 were prepared during the Musharraf regime, soon after the Sharif government was toppled in the October 1999 military coup, reports the Dawn.

The case regarding the Sharif family's four London apartments was also among the eight investigations started by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December 1999.

In addition to the 18-year-old investigation into the London properties, the JIT also recommended reviving cases such as three NAB references and two FIA cases that were quashed by the LHC.

The report noted "that these cases have also been quashed without conducting a proper trial and without giving evidence a chance to come on record".

Regarding the Sharif family's assets reference quashed by the LHC in 2014, the JIT insisted that there was strong evidence against the accused individuals. The team recommended that the SC direct NAB to appeal the acquittal of the Sharif family in these cases.

The JIT also recommended that NAB be directed to complete its investigation into the London properties.

The JIT also recommended that the apex court resumes investigations against the Prime Minister for recruiting 42 employees in the FIA in the late 90s, the forced acquisition of land in and around Raiwind, the construction of a road to Raiwind, receiving funds for the Sharif Trust, assets beyond known sources of income and illegal plot allotments.

The SC was also recommended to direct the SECP to reopen the investigation into alleged money laundering by the Chaudhry Sugar Mills, owned by the Sharif family.