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Focus was on Maryam Nawaz's finances and legal status in the Supreme Court today as hearing of the Panamagate case probing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family's assets resumed.
The apex court asked three questions: How did the premier’s children create their companies? Is Maryam Nawaz dependent on someone? And did the prime minister tell the truth in his three speeches on Panamagate?
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) counsel Naeem Bokhari began his arguments by exploring Maryam Nawaz's financial situation. He observed that the premier's daughter had been gifted Rs50 million and Rs31.7m on two separate occasions by her father.
He also said that Maryam had not paid any utility bills.
The PTI's lead counsel argued in court that Nawaz Sharif's tax returns from 2011 showed that Maryam Nawaz was his dependent.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Anwar Zaheer Jamali raised a question about the addition of Rs196m in Maryam Nawaz's wealth which she attributed to a BMW car gifted to her by her father.
"How could a second hand car raise that kind of money?" the CJP asked.
Justice Asif Saeed remarked that the PTI's arguments pointed towards the possibility that Maryam Nawaz was a dependent, but did not shed any light on who she may be dependent on.
Naeem Bokhari concluded his arguments today. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's council Salman Aslam Butt will present his case tomorrow before giving way to Akram Sheikh, the lawyer representing Nawaz Sharif's children.
During today's hearing, Nawaz Sharif’s children submitted a petition in the apex court requesting daily hearings of the case.
"The issue is very critical and institutions are getting affected," stated the petition, which was submitted through senior counsel Akram Sheikh who is representing Maryam Nawaz, Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz.
CJP Jamali said the court was keeping an open mind on the idea of forming a commission on Panamagate and would make one when it felt a need for it.
Justice Jamali was responding to Jamaat-i-Islami's request of creating an inquiry commission with the mandate to investigate the matter.
On Dec 3, JI chief Sirajul Haq had submitted a fresh application with a request to constitute an inquiry commission. He had also requested that the court make a party in the case all the family members, including children, companies and business entities of those whose names had surfaced in the Panama Papers leaks.
As his lawyer was not present in court, Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed, with the permission of the court, argued his own case. He observed that it was strange that the creation of the Sharif family's mills coincided with the completion of a motorway.
The chief justice said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) do not operate effectively. He asked "If these institutions do not want to work, why don’t we shut them down?"
Read more
PTI papers: Five unusual things you'll find in Imran's case file against PM Nawaz
Panamagate case hearings enter final stretch today
PML-N papers: The Sharif family and the gifts they keep on giving
PML-N papers: A snapshot of Nawaz Sharif's personal expenses through 2011-2012
Sheikh Rasheed papers: Hasan Nawaz's involvement in 8 companies
PML-N papers: Purchase of London flats and the Al-Thani connection
Dec 06, 2016 02:01pm
Very pertinent questions indeed.
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Dec 06, 2016 02:16pm
Sheikh Sb - Inauguration and Completion of motorway also coincided with you becoming MNA and Minister twice on PML-N ticket. Why didnt you say anything then?
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Dec 06, 2016 02:51pm
Jamaat-i-Islami's request of creating an inquiry commission instead of letting the court decide the case goes to prove they want the case to linger on too - a status quo party!
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Dec 06, 2016 02:52pm
Let us all be positive with the SC right decision in this case as this will go in history for future generation and justice Jamal and his team will be remembered in years to come. Let's hope and pray that God gives them the power to make the right decision for our country
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Dec 06, 2016 03:00pm
Ultimately a commission would be formed and the findings of the commission would be the same like previous ones we all know.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:04pm
JI is merely trying to stay relevant, no body really cares what they want.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:16pm
The chief justice said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) do not operate effectively. He asked "If these institutions do not want to work, why don’t we shut them down?"
Couldn't have said it any better. Shutdown NAB, FBR and FIA, replace them with an Agency that actually serves the people and the nation with justice and integrity.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:25pm
@Hassan (Karachi) - Replacing or changing NAB, FBR and FIA with some other names is not going to work when the rulers are bent upon using them for their own benefit only. Only by giving them legal protection to be completely independent of state interference can work.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:31pm
JI is trying to delay the matter by playing commission game. They are really a confused party with no or unrealistic ideology without any plan
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Dec 06, 2016 03:34pm
Justice needs to be delivered in such a high profile case otherwise I see no future for Pakistan and next generations. Nobody should dare to do corruption in future and with that brazen audacity and with out fear.
Ruling elite is submitting tax returns with millions gifted money to each other or expensive cars being gifted left right and center and there is nobody in the tax department, election commission,CBR, NAB etc who dare to ask these rulers any question or bring them to accountability. It is clear now that truth has not been spoken from the very beginning and if the rulers go scot free now then nobody in future will dare to ask any questions. May God give our justices courage to give honest and fair decisions.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:38pm
This is the last chance for the Judiciary and more specific the CJ of SC to become one of the most famous judges in the world. Hope he will uplift the image of Pakistan by getting into the right side as the case looks easy against the corrupt rulers of Pakistan. Please don't waste time and become the headline of the world.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:41pm
JI is the most corrupt party in recent times. they speak against the govt and one the other hand dont come out on streets against them. moreover writing SC to form a JC is another delay tactic meant to help NS. this party is using religion for their benefits and i dont see them winning even a single seat in 2018 elections.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:42pm
Millions of Rs from taxpayers money is spent on FBR, NAB and FIA and the result is "If these institutions do not want to work, why don’t we shut them down?". Shame!
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Dec 06, 2016 03:46pm
@Harmony-1© You are right. JI's stance stinks like their leadership.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:47pm
@Umair Ansari They are not confused, they are supporting the culprits now.
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Dec 06, 2016 03:47pm
A family of gifted people..everyone keep on giving gifts to each other within the family in milions :D
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Dec 06, 2016 03:50pm
And the show will go on... Hope this doesn't dash her hopes of ascension to the throne one day!?
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Dec 06, 2016 04:10pm
I just checked the prices of BMW 750 (their top of the range saloon car) and found out that in the UK, a brand new car costs 10.5 million rupees. Someone is lying here and we all know who it is. Chief Justice, I am sure, will soon find out that these are all lies. Mr Jamali, the nation is waiting for justice in this case.
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Dec 06, 2016 04:15pm
@Princess_of_DHUMP Sir, SKh Rashid have been 8 times a minister across the Pakistan spectrum under any party. Yet he has nothing to show. Is it enough for you. The people getting crumbs drop by corrupt to bone Sharif family, unless the SC makes an honest decision, the future for Pakistan as a country on its own feet and life of public at large looks very bleak.
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Dec 06, 2016 04:22pm
@Hassan (Karachi) - Nothing will change if xyz is closed/replaced as you have recommended until the civil servants on the one hand and me and you on the other change our behaviour and become honest and God fearing Muslims. We run these institutions and when we decide to function in the right way, all Pakistanis and the world will see the results.
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Dec 06, 2016 04:35pm
@kanwarch well said ...it is paramount that web of lies be exposed culprits given custodial sentences that they deserve
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Dec 06, 2016 04:36pm
Notwithstanding billions looted, the tax payers are ready to elect PANAMITES again....!
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Dec 06, 2016 04:42pm
@L. H. Zaidi (London) You obviously have not seen his properties in Islamabad.
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Dec 06, 2016 04:43pm
A BMW that's worth Rs 196 million, or USD $19 million???
I don't know any custom-made car, now matter how rare, high-performance, Formula 1 and how precious, that costs that much money - anywhere, on this planet!
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Dec 06, 2016 05:05pm
@Gerry D The people of Pakistan only want the Supreme Court to make its decision based strictly on the merit of the case and nothing else.
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Dec 06, 2016 05:18pm
@Skeptic Rs 196 million equates to roughly 1.9 million us dollars; a lot of money for a BMW car.
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Dec 06, 2016 05:28pm
@Jamil it must be gold plated ...they live on a different planet from rest of us
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Dec 06, 2016 05:49pm
@Princess_of_DHUMP His lifestyle didn't changed, 20 years on he still lives on the same street he was born in
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Dec 06, 2016 05:51pm
It is high time that the truth coms out for the sake of millions of people of Pakistan.
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Dec 06, 2016 05:55pm
@Jamil I agree with you.
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Dec 06, 2016 05:57pm
@batooni and what about the gift of Jemima to IK. Bhai this circus goes on and used by 99% of income tax filers all across Pakistan
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Dec 06, 2016 06:19pm
@sheryaar well said.they are a real problem
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Dec 06, 2016 06:23pm
@iffi Learn to read, wife helped her husband and got the money back how can you compare that with NS.
IK could have asked for some million dollars at the time of divorce but he was man enough to say no I don't want any thing.
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Dec 06, 2016 06:27pm
SC must take this case very very serious because IK and N family fabricating the statments and papers as westeren style.
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Dec 06, 2016 06:33pm
Those who do such corruption are much more sharp and obliquely tricky than the justice of straights.
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Dec 06, 2016 06:54pm
@Love Your Country - agree with your. We are blaming politicians but common public is also corrupt. If people of Pakistan become honest and true muslims, people like Sharifs and Zardaris think MILLION times before they do anything wrong.
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Dec 06, 2016 06:55pm
JI has always played a negative role in our political history. Here in this case by filling a petition with the court for a commission is a proof that they too are supporters of corruption in the country. When will IK learn this fact about JI?
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Dec 06, 2016 07:02pm
Remember if corruption case is not resolved now then there will be IK in the future and Pakistan will be ruled by these politicians for a very long time.
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Dec 06, 2016 07:13pm
@Princess_of_DHUMP superb
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Dec 06, 2016 07:19pm
@Princess_of_DHUMP
By becoming an MNA on PML-Ns ticket, he has not violated any law or rules, so half of your question holds no water. As the remainder, there is neither a case nor an allegation of corruption against him, while he was part of PML-N, so rest of your question is just as baseless, or should one say childish.
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Dec 06, 2016 07:26pm
@Harmony-1© Must be replaced by people who fear God.
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Dec 06, 2016 07:28pm
Please Sharifs help me find a Qatari friend who can gift me millions of rupees and please help me find a 195 millions rupees BMW.
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Dec 06, 2016 07:34pm
NS and his children are really smart to amass so much wealth so quickly. NS cannot fool the nation all the time. When you are corrupt to the core you feel justified in doing wrong. He should resign.
One has to ask why is NS not interested in education and health care and there is so much focus on mega projects. The answer is it is easy to get kickbacks on mega projects. There is not much money to be made in education and healthcare
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Dec 06, 2016 07:41pm
As always, Jamat e Islami (sic) playing a dual role. Hypocrisy at it's best
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Dec 06, 2016 07:41pm
Maryam, has never done days work and ownes property in London. Hussain, Hassan, came to London to study in 1993. and not go to Top Universities and they become millionaires? Come on? The all family is guilty.
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Dec 06, 2016 07:49pm
People who are just concerned filling up their and their children bank accounts don't realize that without Pakistan they have no respect and freedom. Why not do some worthwhile for country? Come clean, accept responsibility for moving money and return it to the dirt poor citizens of Pakistan.
Clear their conscience and people of Pakistan will respect them.
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Dec 06, 2016 08:05pm
@Skeptic
I am not arguing but your calculations are way off. It will equate to 1.9 million dollars not 19 million.
Now an expensive BMW Touring and others cost in the range of $ 450,000 and above, even close to half a million dollars.
Now apply import duties customs etc and the price will fall in the range of (500,000 USD + 585,000 USD) will equal to 1,085,000. These figures are calculated for total duties/customs at 117%. I have heard at times up to a 200% duty can be imposed. In that case a 0.5 million dollar car will have a final price tag in the range of 1.8-1.9 million dollars.
That's a completely different story if the import duties and customs were ever paid on these vehicles!!!
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Dec 06, 2016 08:08pm
It is impossible for PTI to prove NS is guilty of corruption because there's no way you can obtain such personal information (banking transactions etc). It's NS who has to provide that information and prove that he's clean. After all he's hakim-e-waqt
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Dec 06, 2016 08:09pm
What a wonderful role model family !!. They give expensive to each other regularly..
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Dec 06, 2016 08:22pm
@Jamil : Don't forget. This is the price of a USED BMW.
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Dec 06, 2016 08:52pm
Very rare to see a female involved in such corruption. PML-N and PPP are setting new standards in corruption
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Dec 06, 2016 09:25pm
@Skeptic How much the PM paid tax in the year when the car was gifted to his daughter. or how much was paid as tax when he actually bought it? Rs. 190 Million car purchase, the buyer must be making serious amount of money ...and paying serious amount of taxes. :)
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Dec 06, 2016 09:32pm
@Dr. Doctor - You need to check your numbers.
I happened to be in Munich, Germany where BMWs are built. No touring BMW was ever sold in Pakistan to start with. And it doesn't cost half a million dollars!
Anyone in Pakistan, no matter how rich, or how good the roads and highways may be (still not good enough for touring or sports cars) will shell out half a million dollars to use a a car to visit relatives or restaurants - just to show off, if you cannot use all its performance features.
And as for custom duties and taxes? Who Sharifs? When NS has paid almost no income taxes for nearly a decade - yet his wealth has multiplied, mysteriously!? Now, that would be a miracle!!!!
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Dec 06, 2016 09:43pm
BMW for 196 million is a shame for the buyer of that BMW
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Dec 06, 2016 10:02pm
@M.Malik Completely agree with you. However, at today's rate 196 million rupees are equal to 1.8 million US Dollars or almost 1.5 Million Pounds. As per their statement, this was a second-hand car as well. In today's Internet world, our leaders believe Pakistanis don't know how to do a google search!!. We really need to make it clear to everyone that the numbers don't reconcile no matter what you do!!.
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Dec 06, 2016 10:26pm
@M.Malik
Kindly look up "most expensive BMW's ever built". They are not for common folk. Would cost quite a bit and will have extra perks. You should land on elitetraveler web site. Be my guest and look it up.
I am not defending anyone, I am just floating out the facts that there's a possibility that in a court of law a case can be made and proven. In fact other BMWs are priced in excess of 520,000 USD. If you understand reasoning and are able to decipher written text you will realize what I tried to explain that such a feat is possible for elites.
People who have lots of money end up spending in ways unheard of!
And I am not sure how you were able to check the trail of any BMW that made it's way to Pakistan. Is that information searchable online, or you are a super-clever reporter or merely being in Germany gives you the right to comment on things without evidence and with certainty, like any other Pakistani.
Read carefully, I state it is possible. I never said it happened!!!
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Dec 06, 2016 11:19pm
JI wants to help Nawaz...why?What are they going to get in return.
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Dec 06, 2016 11:21pm
Disqualify Sharif Family... set world standards...
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Dec 06, 2016 11:40pm
Govt. or Nawaz Shariff appoints the heads of NAB, FBR and FIA. What do you expect.
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Dec 06, 2016 11:41pm
Chief Justice remarks regarding governmental agencies if not working and should be shut down is should be eye opening for public. So shut them down and save revenue.
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Dec 07, 2016 12:02am
the petition on daily hearing from PM Children seems like a ploy in game ....
i wonder what they are trying to pull by that ....
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Dec 07, 2016 12:18am
There is not a single prove submitted by PIT, in reality this case is dead.
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Dec 07, 2016 01:01am
@Nadeem, USA 100% agree with you.
This is the problem with india and pakistan that people are not honest to themselves.
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Dec 07, 2016 01:18am
Nothing will come out of this. They will all go scott free and corruption will effectively be legalised in Pakistan.
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Dec 07, 2016 01:47am
@Dr. Doctor Just to add, its not a brand new car, it was used car. You dont pay stamp duties on gift car as per pakistan custom rules. Correct me if I am wrong.
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Dec 07, 2016 03:03am
@Nadeem, USA , but you are missing the key point. When leaders are honest , the institutions and the public follow.
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Dec 07, 2016 03:39am
Justice will be done, some will go down this is destiny, nothing will work now.
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Dec 07, 2016 04:57am
@M.Malik You are wrong on almost all accounts. PM has paid taxes in millions, sharif family has paid taxes in billions. Please know some basics that officers of company generally dont a lot of tax as their companies pay tax. This is principal of capital gains. BMW reference is in part of raising money, no where it says entire 196 millions are from car or cars. Sorry but this is numbers game, and numbers/statement are on PM side. As for Jeddah steel mill in losses, operational losses does not mean the entity / business cant be sold. Pak Steel mills is in loss for decades but if sold today will generate billions in sale price. Learn some basics. PM will win this case.
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Dec 07, 2016 05:21am
During the 1980s, Ittefaq Group expanded from five mills to 30 businesses which produced steel, sugar, paper, and textiles.[2] Its annual revenues were estimated at $400 million. That people is 400 million dollars, not Rupees annually. If that does not make Nawaz Shariff and his family rich then I do not know what will. Question is where did all that money went. I wish Pakistani's would understand this is all Imran Khans personal vendetta against one person and his family. Panama leaks is just a fairy tale. Nothing more.
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Dec 07, 2016 08:05am
@M.Malik
Read my answer carefully, that'll prove that your rant was not required for my balanced and researched answer. Having lived or currently living in Germany doesn't give you the right to insinuate.
I am perplexed you were able to track the path of all BMWs that were sold to people who can spend lots within a few minutes! Oh, may be because you are in Germany..... that's a Pakistani way of supporting one's claim when one lacks evidence to support it.
Also search for "most expensive bmw" and "elitetraveler" and you will get your answer.
Rest my case.
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Dec 07, 2016 06:30pm
InshaAllah truth will win in this war. This is a decisive moment...Come on PML n guys...how long you will lie.....your time is up...
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Dec 08, 2016 12:38am
@Harmony-1© I, 100% agree with your comment, all religious political parties will always support the ruling party, as they are not capable of winning more then a few seats in the general elections.
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Dec 08, 2016 12:45am
@sheryaar You are right, they are the most corrupt political party, to help Nawaz they are asking for a commission so that the case can drag on till Nawaz completes his term and in the next elections they can be partners with PMLN instead of JUI.
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Dec 08, 2016 01:23am
Dr. Scary;
(1) Where is this $400 Million coming from his tax returns? He has only paid few thousand (Rs not $) in tax for all these years.
(2) If that money was made in Pakistan, where is it in UK, how if "Not a Rs was sent"?
(3) IK is on person standing on behave of the nation. As the PM not answerable to nation?
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