Panama case: No evidence PM owns any property, observes bench

As the Panama Papers case hearing went under way on Wednesday, the Supreme Court observed that there is no direct evidence linking the prime minister's ownership with any of the properties. 

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who heads the three-member special implementation bench, said they have to see if there is anything in the records linking the premier with the case. 

The bench also repeatedly inquired from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's counsel regarding the money trail of the London properties. 

Khawaja Harris could not provide the bench with a satisfactory answer as he resumed his arguments from Tuesday. 

The special implementation bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, began hearing the case around 9:30am.

As the hearing began, Harris argued before the bench that the prime minister was not asked about any of his assets. "If the JIT had something [related to his assets], they would have asked questions," he said.

The prime minister's counsel read out his statement given to the JIT.

Harris said the premier has no assets other than those he has declared. 

Justice Ijaz remarked that the prime minister said he would provide a money trail of all the properties but he did not explain when he bought the properties and where he generated funds for their purchase.

Everything is clear except for the ownership of the London properties, observed the bench.