ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) has adjourned for one month hearing of JI Amir Siraj ul Haq petition against 436 Pakistanis named in Panama papers.

The matter came up for hearing before a 2-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood here Friday.

During the hearing of the case Justice Sardar Tariq Masood remarked why the petitioner remembered it after 7 years that it is matter of public interest. Was running the case against one family objective at that time. In 2017 there was matter of Panama. This is too Panama matter. Why it was not said before the court it is matter of all people.

He further remarked JI did not lodge complaint in any institution during seven years. Should all the work be done by SC here. How can we order for initiating action against 436 people without issuing them notice. How can the SC get investigate the matter in the presence of FBR, State Bank, NAB and other investigation agencies.

On the demand made by JI counsel for constitution of judicial commission to probe the matter , Justice Tariq Masood remarked if SC constitutes judicial commission in the presence of investigation agencies then how they will work.

Five judges of SC had declared Panama case maintainable on November 03, 2016. Tell us why NAB, FIA, Anti corruption and other institutions were not approached against the persons nominated in Panama papers.

He further observed making offshore company is not an offence. We have to see how this company was formed. Issuing orders against 436 persons this way will be against the norms of justice. There will be businessmen among these 436 persons. Do you want to force them to flee. Don’t use the shoulder of the court in this matter.

Earlier this matter was delisted at the request of the petitioner. Why the petitioner did not say before the court at that time that it was matter of all the people and it should be heard together .

The court adjourned the hearing of the case for one month.