SC wants to give complete chance to all parties in Imran disqualification case: CJP

ISLAMABAD (INP): As the Supreme Court on Monday took up Imran Khan’s revised statement , which seeks amendments to his earlier pleadings , the counsel representing PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi once again objected to the submission of the statement, arguing that the court had closed the hearings of the case in PTI chief Imran Khan and secretary general Jahangir Tareen disqualification case.

“Once the case has been closed, further documents cannot be submitted before the court,” advocate Akram Sheikh argued. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court ? headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Atta Bandial and Justice Faisal Arab ? has been hearing a petition filed by Hanif Abbasi which seeks the disqualification of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief and the party’s Secretary General Jahangir Tareen for not disclosing their assets and owning offshore companies.

During the hearing, the PTI chairman’s council Naeem Bukhari presented his arguments. He stated that the impression persists that Imran has taken a u-turn on questions pertaining to the case by the court, but he hasn’t.

The chief justice, in his remarks, said that the apex court wants the parties to get a proper chance in the case to present arguments and seeks to uncover the truth of the case. Justice Saqib Nisar observed that the petitioner has objected to the change in stance of Imran during the proceedings.

“Mr Bukhari, you present arguments in haste,” he remarked, adding that the bench needs time to process the arguments. Abbasi’s counsel Akram Sheikh said that Imran Khan changed his stance seven times during the case proceedings. The counsel argued that the new documents submitted by the PTI chairman are ‘insulting’.

The chief justice remarked that when a case goes towards its final decision, new things emerge, adding that the apex court is not holding a trial. Justice Nisar said that the receipts of Bani Gala money trail from Jemima to Imran have been viewed, adding that the bench has to determine now whether Imran lied as a Parliamentarian.

The chief justice also observed that they want to examine the documents themselves. “We are saving investigation commission’s time this way,” he observed further. Sheikh said that he would provide the court a written response in the case after two days. The case was adjourned till today (Tuesday).