Nawaz Sharif's children submit reply in SC in Panamagate

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs three children, including daughter Maryam, submitted their replies in the Panamagate case before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Monday.

In their written reply, Maryam, Hassan and Hussain Nawaz admitted owning property abroad, following which the top court directed all parties to submit relevant documentary evidence before the court by Tuesday, Dawn reported.

During the hearing, the top court gave a week's time to Prime Minister Sharif's children to submit evidence and establish that they are legal owners of property abroad.

The court was told that Maryam Nawaz was a taxpayer in her own right and not a dependent.

Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, whose party has demanded accountability from the Sharif family over its reported huge wealth, also witnessed the larger bench's proceedings.

On November 3, the top court gave a last chance to the three scions of the ruling Sharif family to submit their replies on November 7.

The Panama Papers on April 3 revealed that Nawaz Sharif's three children were among hundreds of powerful people who had allegedly stashed away money in offshore companies.

Various political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami Muslim League had moved the apex court against Nawaz Sharif and his family over various charges, including money-laundering, setting up of offshore companies illegally and non-declaration of their assets, etc.

--IANS

ahm/rn