Sharif mulling filing review petition on Panama verdict

Lawyers of the Sharif family are reportedly considering the option of whether to file a review petition or not against the Pakistan Supreme Court's decision in the Panamagate case as they fear its strong observations might prejudice the investigation of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

The Express Tribune quoted a senior PML-N leader as saying that legal minds of the ruling party and the Sharif family's legal team have started deliberations in this regard against the April 20 judgment.

He also said that the legal team had strong doubts over the observations made by the apex court judges against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.

"We fail to understand why the SC judges have given observations before the outcome of the JIT investigation," he said.

The senior PML-N leader questioned as to why SC judges had considered and given observations on the evidences which they said could not be examined at this stage.

Meanwhile, a senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader said the party's legal team has suggested that the party should focus on monitoring the JIT investigation so that the 60 day timeline is not extended.

The PTI's legal team has also recommended to the party leadership not to file a review petition against the Pakistan Supreme Court's decision in the Panamagate case.

The JIT will be tasked to probe the assets and how the funds were transferred to Qatar. It will comprise of one senior official each from the FIA, NAB, SECP, SBP, ISI and MI.

The apex court has ordered the JIT to present its report every two weeks before a Supreme Court bench.

The court also ordered Sharif and his sons Hasan and Hussein to appear before the JIT as and when required.

The Supreme Court office has reportedly sought three names from each department for the constitution of the JIT so that they can be placed before the bench for nomination and approval.