The appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge to head the inquiry committee formed to probe the Broadsheet revelation has raised another controversy. Justice Azmat Saeed Shaikh is a similar face as he was part of the five-member bench that gave a historical verdict that dismissed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panamagatecase.
His appointment to probe the matter and submit a report within 45 days was certain to irk the PML-N who have raised a hue and cry over the matter. The party cited his past affiliation with NAB as creating a conflict of interest as he was a deputy prosecutor general when the original Broadsheet deal was signed and was one of the negotiators in the deal along with being a senior legal officer at the time.
The PML-N also noted that Justice Sheikh served as a member of the board of governors of the Shaukat Khanum Hospital which they claimed showed Prime Minister Imran’s Khan’s ill-intent behind handing over the inquiry to him. The PML-N’s objection and statements are certainly an attempt to discredit the enquiry even before it has begun as it will make even more startling revelation.
The Broadsheet saga is considered as the second Panama Papers case which exposed the corruption of ruling elites notably the Sharif family who is still embroiled in corruption cases. Broadsheet was hired two decades ago to particularly target the Sharif family and trace, locate and recover their stolen assets including the infamous Avenfield properties until the contract was abruptly cancelled. The Sharif family realises that handing over the enquiry to Justice Shaikh would expose their ill-gotten wealth again.
Although the appointment is controversial, it does imply that guilt has already been established as the committee is only mandated to submit a report rather than holding anyone accountable. The PML-N cannot be the judge, jury and plaintiff itself. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed asked if Justice Qayyum who was known for his affiliation and bias towards Nawaz Sharif on several occasions should rather be appointed.
The opposition would certainly object to the enquiry committee and prevent a transparent probe into the matter. It is imperative the Broadcast saga is investigated so that we can get to the bottom of it and recover some of the plundered wealth which will only boost the government image amd also benefit the nation.
