ISLAMABAD: The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the Panama Papers case wrapped up its two-month proceedings, vacated the premises of the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) and its members reported back to their respective departments on Friday.

“We did not recommend the disqualification of the prime minister or any other person as it was not in our mandate. We recommended the completion of stalled investigations and the revival of the cases against the Sharif family which are pending with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB),” a member of the JIT said.

According to him, since all these cases were related to “assets beyond means of known source income”, therefore the apex court may refer them to NAB for filing references against the Sharif family.

He said that the JIT conducted investigations in accordance with the standard operating procedures though the deadline of 60 days had forced them to compromise on certain issues. Asked about the JIT being criticised for preparing a 6,000-page report, the member said it was not possible for six members to write so much in just two months and that the report is just a few hundred pages long which includes a summary, findings, recommendations, analysis and statements from witnesses.

“The rest were photocopies of inquiry reports, investigations, references filed against the Sharif family, judicial orders, court documents etc,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2017