Panamagate case: PTI members oppose Babar Awan to replace Hamid Khan

After Hamid Khan distanced himself from representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) for litigation of the Panama Papers case in the Supreme Court, the party's legal team and some members are in a state of disarray as they are reluctant to give that role to Babar Awan.

According to a source, PTI chief Imran Khan is interested in nominating Awan as the main counsel, but he is facing immense resistance from many of his close aides, including his legal team, reports the Express Tribune.

According to sources, the PTI's legal team members - comprising Hamid Khan, Ahmad Awais and Naeem Bukhari - have refused to accept Awan as their captain in the Panama leaks case.

An influential group of PTI leaders is also expressing reservations over his entry as the lead counsel. They are afraid that Awan may overshadow the senior party members as he did during the previous government of the Pakistan People Party (PPP) whose most senior leaders had to take the back seat after Awan developed close ties with former president Asif Zardari.

A senior PTI leader said Awan might be a competent lawyer but his sour relationship with the bench is something that goes against him. "We want a lawyer who should have good reputation both with the bench and the bar."

The top court had suspended the practicing licence of Awan for allegedly uttering derogatory words against the court.

A senior PTI leader said names of senior lawyers - Aitzaz Ahsan, Farogh Nasim and Anwar Mansoor Khan - are also under discussion but they are facing difficulty in selecting a suitable lawyer to lead the legal team in Panama leaks case due to different reasons.