GWADAR: In rare remarks about the Panama Papers leaks case whose verdict was reserved by the Supreme Court late last month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif emphasised on Wednesday the sensitivity of the matter and the effect that speculation could possibly cause to the imminent judgement.

According to TV reports, Mr Sharif while talking informally to journalists soon after arrival from Pasni in the fast-developing port city of Gwadar by road said that speculation over the reserved verdict could be “detrimental to judicial decorum”.

On Feb 23, the apex court while closing prolonged proceedings reserved its ruling, saying it’s not possible to announce a short order in such a case.

“We will take some time to deliberate and ponder over every possible aspect,” Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who headed the five-member bench that heard the case against the members of the prime minister’s family, had observed.

“We will decide the case strictly in accordance with the law and the Constitution, unfazed by any outside clamouring and unmindful of whether it pleases or displeases someone,” Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, a member of the bench, had said.

CPEC, development of Gwadar termed important part of govt priorities

Since Feb 23, plaintiff opposition parties led by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf as well as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have been saying they would accept whatever judgement the court would announce, but both have also made no secret of their expectations as both have been publicly claiming that the verdict would eventually vindicate their respective position on the controversy.

The other important point that PM Sharif spoke about was the under-construction China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and uplift projects of Gwadar.

“The development [projects] of Gwadar and CPEC are important part of my priorities and will be completed as soon as possible,” he said, adding that with the completion of these projects Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, would have been developed on a large scale.

Later, presiding over a meeting, Mr Sharif said his government was paying full attention to the improvement of infrastructure, projects aimed at the availability of health and energy facilities and development of social and economic lives of the people of Balochistan.

He said his government was committed to protecting the rights of locals and would take all steps to ensure their legitimate rights. “Local people should be given priority in the development projects,” he directed the authorities concerned.

Mr Sharif expressed satisfaction over the security of development projects. He said that the expressway, Gwadar international airport, free zone and business complex would attract investors. He assured the meeting that the federal government would continue to help Balochistan in its development and bring it on a par with other provinces.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri expressed the hope that all projects would be completed in time.

Gwadar Development Authority director general Sajjad Hussain briefed the meeting about the water supply, electricity, road and economic zone projects.

Earlier, the premier reached Gwadar for a two-day visit by the newly-built 136km Pasni-Gwadar road so that he could inspect the quality of work on various projects.

The new road is part of the Makran Coastal Highway project. He lauded the standard of the highway and appreciated the efforts of the authorities concerned and workers who took part in its construction.

Federal ministers Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ahsan Iqbal and Abdul Qadir Baloch accompanied the prime minister.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2017