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The prime minister's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, on Monday evening issued a strongly-worded statement on behalf of the PML-N regarding the Panamagate joint investigation team's report submitted earlier in the day, saying:
"JIT report REJECTED. Every contradiction will not only be contested but decimated in SC. NOT a penny of public exchequer involved: PMLN."
Her tweet followed a press conference conducted by four senior PML-N leaders, who had taken turns to criticise the JIT report as 'serving Imran Khan's agenda'.
The Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, appearing in the press conference, had strongly rejected the Panamagate joint investigation team's (JIT) report as "worthless trash".
Setting the focus on the fact that the report focused on the Sharif family's personal businesses rather than mismanagement or corruption while holding public office, the minister termed it a compilation of political accusations against the government.
"This report is a political statement which reads like an Imran-nama," the minister said.
Barrister Zafarullah Khan, also speaking in the press conference, concurred, saying: “It is not a JIT report, it is rather a PTI report.”
"Four out of the six members of the JIT had no prior experience in handling legal investigations,” he added, attempting to undermine its credibility.
He also resorted to personal attacks against individual members of the JIT, accusing them of being anti PML-N. He further accused the JIT of witness tampering and attempting to twist the investigation to suit its ends.
"We hope the Supreme Court bench will send this report into the trash bin, where it rightfully belongs," he concluded.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif then took the mic, saying that nothing in the report can be verified or be admissible as evidence as it is based on information provided by sources.
“The JIT report has relied heavily on the statements of [PPP's ex interior minister] Rehman Malik. I think taking his name is enough to reveal the plot behind it [JIT report],” said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
"We will destroy every allegation raised in the report one by one," Asif said.
Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the party had previously expressed its reservations regarding the attitude of the JIT, saying the government had "expected" the JIT to submit something similar.
"There are so many contradictions in this report that anybody who reads it objectively will understand its true purpose," he said.
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Comments (102) Closed
Jul 10, 2017 08:24pm
This shows how low these guy can go to protect their Leader.
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Jul 10, 2017 08:25pm
Uncertainty prevails every where. Ministers defending their boss and his family. One wonders who is looking after the affairs of the country. Enimies are on Eastern and Western borders of the country. For us Nawaz and Imran are not important. Our country is important for us. Let's hope sanity will prevail and all factions make road map to end uncertainty.
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Jul 10, 2017 08:26pm
Everybody is obeyed by the law !
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Jul 10, 2017 08:26pm
What did the people of Pakistan expect?
what exactly do we expect?
Will these guys come out and say our leader is corrupt just like us and hence here is our resignation. Come and investigate us.?
I think we must be kidding ourselves.
The drama continues.
Where bhutto is still zinda... Nawaz Sharif will never be ousted...
The only thing that dies every day is decency and morals.
Long live Pakistan...
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Jul 10, 2017 08:27pm
The Nawaz League should respect the conclusions of a transparent and fair investigation. They should face the consequences of their corruption . This is a great day for Pakistan. Justice must be dispensed !
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Jul 10, 2017 08:29pm
Very true
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Jul 10, 2017 08:30pm
This press conference and allegation by NS family and his close associated were awaited. Because if they don't speak loudly it means that they have accepted these allegation. We all ordinary Pakistani were waiting this reaction. Actually some people understand that this is their right to rule over Pakistan. No one can think or to ask to leave this property, as if they own it by birth. This is first time in Pakistan that the ruling class is feeling some heat.
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Jul 10, 2017 08:51pm
@omer: It equally applies to those who are going even further below by rejecting the mandate of 200 million citizen of Pakistan, an entity much bigger and respectable than any other institution or person in this country. There are decent and respectable ways to proceed in such national matters.
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Jul 10, 2017 08:55pm
@Khan Does that actually mean somehting??
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Jul 10, 2017 08:55pm
@Saad dont complain when youre part of the problem..it's your group who you support.
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Jul 10, 2017 09:06pm
if the desicion was in favour of NZ then they have not said it trash. they could have started celebration. now they should have respected judiciary and resigned for the betterment of country. now instability will increase which is not good.
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Jul 10, 2017 09:24pm
@Mansur ul haque 100% agree with you.
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Jul 10, 2017 09:26pm
@M.Saeed I voted for PTI in last election so please do not include me in 200 million :)
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Jul 10, 2017 10:22pm
The seasoned politicians of the sub continent are yet to come to terms with taxation laws. Probably the lady does not understand that not paying taxes on income is loss to public exchequer.
any money changing hands incurs taxes.... which normal, honest citizens pay.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:35am
The bigger issue is when the rulers/elite of Pakistan rush to invest overseas and try avoid paying taxes, then why is the common man supposed to invest in Pakistan and pay taxes.
Whatever happened to lead by example.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:39am
going going gone...!
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Jul 11, 2017 12:40am
Why are PMLN afraid? The Supreme Court has not yet read the report by JIT.
This suggests that PMLN leaders knew all along that whatever was in Panama
Papers was all true.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:47am
@Mansur ul haque "Enimies are on Eastern and Western borders" The threat to pakistan is not as much from outside, as much as it is from inside. If the PM of a country is not true to it's own country, the country doesn't need enemies from outside. I hope and pray with you that sanity will prevail and all factions make road map to end uncertainty. A happy, healthy and prosperous Pakistan is good for the world.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:48am
The corruption in the world has transgressed. The thing has gone beyond the control of normal beings. Waiting for the Messiah.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:50am
Hope SC sends Sharif home sooner the better. After all, there is a precedent, SC dismissed ex-PM Raza Gilani,
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Jul 11, 2017 12:50am
The prime minister should resign and go for reelection once allowed by the Supreme Court. This is insulting and damaging to the country
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Jul 11, 2017 12:52am
Rejected ? what do you mean rejected? it is not a suggestion, its a verdict against your financial crime. Do you get it ?
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Jul 11, 2017 12:54am
What was expected has come to the surface.The element of personal grudge appears to have been the guiding factor in formulating this Report by JIT .
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Jul 11, 2017 12:54am
@Amarnath "The seasoned politicians of the sub continent are yet to come to terms with taxation laws. Probably the lady does not understand that not paying taxes on income is loss to public exchequer."
It is not just whether the tax was paid on the income or not but whether the income itself was from legitimate business or was it obtained from corruption. A disproportionate income case is not challenging whether tax was paid but rather whether the income itself was legitimate.
Please do not imply that this is a common problem throughout the subcontinent. Many corrupt politicians have been disqualified and even imprisoned in India.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:55am
@M.Saeed who on this planet told you that this party has mandate of 200 million ? If you are making votes a reason for being in power, then PTI had share of half of those . And for the purpose of statistics, please see published election stats - voter turn out in 2013 was 55.02% of eligible voters. 45% voters of this country didn't vote - you can't claim their mandate. Total registered voters were around 8.5 crore. Of which PMLN had 1 crore 47 lakh 94 thousand 1 hundred and 88. That's mandate of 17.16% of all those who voted in favour of PMLN.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:05am
@M.Saeed .Wrong. Even if you are elected with heavy mandate , it is court's job to prosecute criminals and if they happen to be one then you are disqualified from holding office. end of the story.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:06am
@M.Saeed Majority of our population is illiterate and sell its votes for Rs500 so please before you go into mandate drama, look up the facts. We elect people based on ethnic and family background. If the mandate of 200 million is to give turns to Zardari Mr. 10% and Sharifs Mr. 100%, then might as well just dissolve the parliament, setup a monarchy system where each family will rule for 10 years. This is the nation where Mariam Safdar becomes Mariam Nawaz and Bilwal Zardai is called Bilawal Bhutto. I honestly do not understand how can anyone with 1% of common sense can vote and support PPP or PMLN.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:08am
Those you can, do read the JIT report. She is rejecting however there is documentary evidence presented by JIT from the real source.
These crooks play with the emotion of poor people of Pakistan who would not go and read the report. She can reject the personal opinion of JIT but not the documentary evidence they were able to gather. I read it, she is the beneficiary owner of the companies.
God bless Pakistan.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:21am
What was expected has come to the surface.The element of personal grudge appears to have been the guiding factor in formulating this Report by the JIT. It appears to have been an Allegations Finding Report rather than a Fact Finding Report,!
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Jul 11, 2017 01:26am
So everyone waited till the report was generated, one said a word before, In fact, if I'm not mistaken, everyone in the PML-N camp stated that the JIT would not find any wrong doing, now that the JIT is getting closer to the verdict, the whole camp is upset and calling it Imran's verdict? Why? because the truth is bitter?
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Jul 11, 2017 01:30am
Now the onus is on Supreme Court, if it does not act at such an important moment in the country's history, we are all doomed and so will be its respect. Any crime which goes unpunished paves way for an even more malicious one the next time.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:31am
'JIT report REJECTED'. Which basically means that everything in the report regarding the Sharif family is accurate. Mr. Nawaz Sharif should step down immediately if he has any dignity left.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:34am
PMLN should be banned permanently. Their top executives should be punished for contempt of court. They are bunch of criminals trying to save their skins desperately. SC should show real backbone and throw the books at them. All of their official protocols should be withdrawn.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:40am
What is going on with the PML-N party that no official is good enough to issue a statement against the JIT decision and only Maryam Nawaz who has no rank issuing statement?
Pakistan public may not be that sharp as these corrupt politicians have been swindling but are gaining senses of these politicians now. Country is in dire need to have employment opportunities and security which current government is either ignoring or have no solution for. Bunch of self serving politicians make forceful statements of the resolutions which are never completed.
Middle class is silent as we have goons and gonads threatening the outspoken individuals. How long Pakistan can tolerate this political climate and survive?
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Jul 11, 2017 01:55am
Let nawaz stay lots of progress is being made Imran is playing politics with the countries development
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Jul 11, 2017 01:58am
Supreme Court you wanted to investigate the matter further and formed the JIT. Now even the JIT is showed new proofs against Sharif's, have found the SECP Chairman tampering records and what not. Please help this nation get rid of them without letting them become political martyrs. We have had enough of the Sharif family and PMLN/PPP politics. Please help Pakistan move forward dear Supreme Court. The Pakistani nation is desperate, requests and seeks justice from you. Many rules of different countries have been removed because of Panamagate. Was Imran Khan's "Imrannama" also the reason behind the outser of those rules? Maryam Nawaz and PMLN please stop trying to make this nation a fool because now you are only making us laugh at yourself by rejecting the Supreme Court formed JIT. How low can one get!!
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Jul 11, 2017 01:58am
One wonders if all thieves, thugs & corrupt are allowed to reject their incriminating enquiry reports. What would be the state of our society then. Are we heading towards the lawless dark ages where might thinks that it is the only right.
She has no right or authority to reject the report. They are taking shamelessness to a new level.
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Jul 11, 2017 02:06am
Of course, when it is not in PML-N's favor, they will reject it. If it were not the outcome that Imran had wanted, he would have then rejected this report also. We have no respect for higher authorities and no respect for the rule of law.
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Jul 11, 2017 02:10am
Indeed it's a Mafia, and a generation which believes in this culture..of corruption.. This country is not threatened by anyone.. External... It's only Internal.. Us the people.
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Jul 11, 2017 02:15am
These people are used to dealing with agencies led by their people and "yes men" who willingly overlook their illegal money laundering activities. After they realized that the JIT was not under their thumb, they first started publicly issuing threats against its members. And now, rather than admitting that they did not pay their fair share of taxes, they have the audacity to outright reject the independent commission's report. Wow!
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Jul 11, 2017 02:16am
Indeed it's A Mafia,, no exception.. A generation believe in this corrupt Mafia,,, and only see external threats to the country ..but not themselves.. you are the Mafia
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Jul 11, 2017 02:20am
I have said this before, but let me repeat. We reject PMLN! Pakistan needs to move on. We have paid enough of a price already!
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Jul 11, 2017 02:32am
The Truth is evident now. The Prime Minister should resign. All the people involved in corruption should be brought into justice.
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Jul 11, 2017 02:38am
And they are used to sing of Habib Jalab with such a dirty corruption.
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Jul 11, 2017 02:47am
JIT on the basis of harassment, 3rd degree torture, without evidence on MQM workers and their families are acceptable to everyone but Not against anyone............
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Jul 11, 2017 03:04am
The JIT has concluded who is actually "worthless trash". Case closed!
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Jul 11, 2017 03:06am
The ministers instead of defending the boss should answer why every respondent failed to provide the money trail and the sources of income, why are they hiding it? why so many donors? why records were altered, there are many records which were burned by mysterious fires too, Politicians are suppose to tell the truth, its in Constitution, the point is that they lied constantly thus don't full fill the criteria to be in public office.
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Jul 11, 2017 03:08am
@Mansur ul haque
Totally agreed. Country and the people of the country are more important than NS and IK.
This drama already has and will further destablise the politico-economic situation of Pakistan.
While the whole Asian region is developimg we are lagging bhind because of this stupid drama for each and every person in Pakistan is a tax evader and you wont be able to find a sadik and ameen.
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Jul 11, 2017 03:14am
I wonder what reaction what had been if the decision was in their favor?
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Jul 11, 2017 03:40am
the decision of jit be respected like a true citizen.either the objection of jit should had been done two months back or the decision be obeyed instead of making afool of pakistan world over.
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Jul 11, 2017 03:42am
A mafia of Vultures and Jacklals
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Jul 11, 2017 03:47am
A Big day in the History of Nation. Time will tell. JIT is the end of a new beginning of new ERA .
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Jul 11, 2017 04:00am
@Mansur ul haque i can NOT believe that you think that these unqualified and dumb politicians run pakistan.. wow.. im speechless on such notions.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:13am
I do not know, why the ministers get so worked up. It was not the government, which was in the dock, but the PM in his personal and his children were involved in their personal capacity.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:19am
The time has come for PM Nawaz to step down, it will be better for the interest of country. No one is above the law. RESIGN.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:35am
Asma Jhangir warned us for this situation since day1; according to her JIT was a bad idea yesterday as well as today. JIT is controversial since day 1, wrong or right JIT lost it credibility as expected by the experts.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:36am
In my opinion, Pakistani youth are responsible for all these non sense. In no other country youth sleep like this when country is going to dogs. First it was religious fanatics like Zia who took country for a ride and after that it is corrupt thieves. But have never seen youth opposing wrong doing of ruling elite.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:38am
this is not a conviction.......the report simply highlights discrepancies and nab needs to validate source..........starting from ayub, zia, musharaf, gillani, nawaz, imran, tareen, zardari and so on........you gotta look at their net worth before and after.......pakistanis are generally very prejudice and impulsive on making judgments.......people will always be biased on party lines no matter who the other is and whether right or wrong.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:56am
It is obvious that JIT focused on Sharif family business investigation, NOT the corruption.
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Jul 11, 2017 05:00am
@M.Saeed
You mean a mandate secured by corruption and rigging, remember IK's initial demand against rigging.
Go Nawaz Go
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Jul 11, 2017 05:04am
such brilliant man. can you please generate .00000001 mw of energy and feed it thru sui gas?
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Jul 11, 2017 05:10am
Corrupt leadership gives birth to Corrupted democracy, which is against the Islamic norms and values and be rejected.
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Jul 11, 2017 06:04am
Shame on government if they are still defending their boss.
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Jul 11, 2017 06:09am
They are guilty but whst will be the punishment.
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Jul 11, 2017 06:40am
So the fake documents submitted to the supreme court as confirmed by Dubai govt is not a crime...LOL
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Jul 11, 2017 06:42am
Calling all the evidence and investigations worthless trash shows how immoral our ruling elite are.....fake documents everywhere si a serious crime in itself. Their private cars have fake number plates.....
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Jul 11, 2017 06:50am
Who is she to reject the report of JIT, is she a Judge of SC?
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Jul 11, 2017 07:08am
Using public office to conduct illegal businesses , money laundering is as bad as using public money. Why were offshore companies opened to purchase property? To evade taxes and hide money.trail? This is grounds of.impeachment in any country.
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Jul 11, 2017 07:22am
This case was never about misuse of public exchequer. This was about the unexplained wealth accumulated to buy the flats in London. And the Sharifs have failed to provide the money trail for that.
Investigation into corruption has not even started yet!
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Jul 11, 2017 07:24am
Rejecting JIT reports can only aff to the problems of NS. Many demanding to contest JIT may not be fully aware of the hidden details of NS hidden financial operations. Given the background scenario and sensitivity of this inquiry JIT must have had double checked allpoints before submitting them to SC.
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Jul 11, 2017 07:43am
Is this democracy ?
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Jul 11, 2017 07:49am
In what capacity does Maryam issue statements. Most of them do not make any sense.
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Jul 11, 2017 08:02am
Are there any sane leaders with at least average political acumen in PML- N who can stop them from path of political destruction ?.
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Jul 11, 2017 08:09am
'JIT report rejected,' Hmm rhymes very similar to a comment made by someone in recent past, which later on was retracted.
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Jul 11, 2017 08:28am
Maryam said the investigation was on sharif family business dealing ,so why the cabinet member are defending NS
They should do the work they are paid for
And not defend NS
NS celebrated SC secession 2-3 decession
But rejecting JIT
It's like Trump saying He we not accept the
Election if didn't win .
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Jul 11, 2017 09:14am
@M.Saeed Sorry Plz, I voted for PPP. Not included in your mandate of 200 Million. Go Nawaz Go
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Jul 11, 2017 09:22am
@M.Saeed It means anyone mandated can do anything but can not charged because people chose them.
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Jul 11, 2017 09:44am
My humble appeal to Supreme Court: Please do not spare these looters. They've looted the country with both hands and played with future of poors and innocent masses
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Jul 11, 2017 09:45am
If individuals cannot accept the verdict that is supervised by the highest court in the land, where do you go from there? It is jungle-raj after that.
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Jul 11, 2017 09:56am
Inexperienced members of JIT could not make correct judgments.
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Jul 11, 2017 10:10am
After a great effort for investigation by JIT, now its time for SC to give a monumental verdict in history of NATION for the future of NATION.
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Jul 11, 2017 10:10am
Expect a compromise with NS exiting but saving Maryam to to keep the reins of PML-N.....looks like an interesting election on the horizon...
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Jul 11, 2017 10:14am
Great going Pakistan, we have already dumped our corrupt and scam riddled congress party, now its your turn to stand up and dump your corrupt leaders, problems of south asia can only be solved when you have a honest leader who can stand up to your establishment.
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Jul 11, 2017 10:24am
The report submitted by JIT is based on here say or for that matter based on the sources . Complete evidence based on facts must have been given . How this JIT was formed it self is big question mark on the report itself . Who started the JIT task even before its formation needs to be answered and the apex court must look into this matter as well . We must not do any thing which brings more fragmentation in our country .
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Jul 11, 2017 11:08am
@khalid khawar kazmi oh yeah!!! And what facts led to your conclusion?
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Jul 11, 2017 11:13am
@khalid khawar kazmi remember the JIT is not in the business of rendering judgements. It's charter and mandate is to extract, collect and analyze facts backed by documentary evidence. This is a forensic effort. Making judgements is the domain of the courts. The JIT did a mighty fine job despite cowardly threats from the lackeys of the defendants.
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Jul 11, 2017 11:16am
@Harris Mustafa Not only inexperienced but those having allegiance to IK, General Musharraf and one from NAB having some problem with his head office.
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Jul 11, 2017 11:32am
Even if the JIT members comprised of 'Angels', PML-N attitude remained the same.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:20pm
One thing is for sure a lot of the government is corrupt. As all these people are coming defending, NS family.
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Jul 11, 2017 12:30pm
@Mansur ul haque I totally agree with you, This is how we are supposed to react
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Jul 11, 2017 01:05pm
HOW COME Maryam Nawaz is rejecting the report?
She did not order the JIT for the report. She is not any User of the Report. So, HOW COME She has any say in acceptability of the report?
this report is only for the SC bench and only They Reject of Accept the Report.
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Jul 11, 2017 01:57pm
Who is she to reject it?
so the logic behind the rejection is " umm since it didn't come in our favor , we are rejecting it "
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Jul 11, 2017 03:48pm
This was an obvious reaction expected from this corrupt family & party. As indicated they have done wrong and involved in massive corruption. They have to face the consequences & all the legal actions in line. If convicted (which they are), SC should order to confiscate their assets & sentence them, so no one in future thinks to rob Pakistan.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:07pm
@omer: Every bit of the PML-N is embalmed in Self Interest, nothing else matters. The country can go down in the gutters, who cares.
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Jul 11, 2017 04:52pm
The evidence presented in the JIT report clearly indicated that Nawaz Shareef and his family members are liars and didn't cooperate with JIT. They must be punished for their misconducts. Chore michay Shore approach WILL NOT work, Pakistani people are not fool and knows NS and his close associates. Pakistan Zindabad.
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Jul 11, 2017 05:07pm
Why reject the JIT report and the SC majority verdit. Its' timecthe Prime Minister considers his best options and resign, at the best he should step aside until the final SC verdict. THAT WOULD BE THE HONOURABLE THING TO DO MR NAZAZ SHARIF. Please let the country breath a fresh corruption free air to survive.
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Jul 11, 2017 05:25pm
You are rejected too.
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Jul 12, 2017 08:31pm
This is very sad report in history Pakistan
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Jul 13, 2017 01:30am
we will not be known by our sins. we will we known by our efforts to cover our sins.
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Jul 13, 2017 04:48am
Four senior leaders of ruling party call JIT report 'worthless trash', claim it serves Imran Khan's 'agenda'. _ It does serve Imran Khan's interests !!! Only that is no argument. The facts are facts.
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Jul 13, 2017 06:00am
Is it better to step away while you still can or being dragged out in humiliation? Especially when you know the truth.
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Jul 13, 2017 10:06am
The Prime Minister is not supposed to resign due to political pressure or JIT report. Unless the apex court conclusively give a judgement accusing the PM on any count of offence. he should carry on. It's the court to decide,not anybody or any report.
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