The suspense is finally about to end as the Supreme Court of Pakistan will announce the verdict on the Panama Case on 20th April 2017.
The cause list says that the case hearing will start at 2:00 pm on Thursday.
Back in February, a five-member panel of judges remarked that the judgment would take into account all angles of the case. The bench has also said that that it would be a lengthy judgment.
The Massive Leaks Behind Panama Case
It all started when a large cache of 11.5 million documents got leaked back from the database a Panama law firm called Mossack Fonseca. The document revealed details of offshore companies of people in business, criminals, politicians, and celebrities across the world.
Opposition parties in Pakistan accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family of corruption. The leaked documents also revealed names of the Prime Minister’s children.
Panama Case in Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan took up the case on October 20th, 2016 after petitions submitted by different parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamhooti Watan Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and others.
Hearing of the Panama case was concluded on 23rd February 2017, and the judges reserved the decision.
One of the petitioners, the Chief of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid referred to the announcement as historical for the subcontinent. He also said that he would accept the verdict whatever it may be.
PML (N) Options
Insider sources say that the PML (N) is weighing its options if the Panama case does not come in its favor. There are two popular opinions in the party. One opinion says that if the verdict goes against the party, it must opt for early elections instead of waiting for 2018.
There is a faction within the PML (N) against early elections. This group says that the government of PML (N) must complete its tenure regardless of the decision. They say that the party must find a suitable replacement for the PM if the case does not go in its favor.
PTI’s Future Planning
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan has instructed his party leaders to remain in Islamabad for the next three days after the announcement of the Panama case decision. He intimated the party leaders while having a meeting for discussing party’s strategy once the Panamagate verdict is announced.
Different rumors are circling the country about the possible outcome of the judgment. Each party is saying they will accept the decision, whatever the Supreme Court decides about it. However, only time will tell what decision comes out of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
