Hamid Mir says some 'Darbaris' tried to buy his favours after his questions over Panamagate JIT report
- By Web Desk -
- Jul 17, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Senior journalist Hamid Mir on Monday claimed that after the submission of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) final report in Supreme Court, some people from PML-N tried to “please” him instead of answering his questions regarding the report, ARY News reported.
In a column in Daily Jang, Hamid Mir claimed that during those days, a federal minister asked him if he is angry, upon which he replied that a journalist’s duty is to raise questions but instead of answering questions, some people tried to “please” him which didn’t anger him but he took it as a warning.
“I am not a saint but I clearly told those who came to buy my favours that not all journalists are for sale. This buy/sell market was established by some darbaris (cronies) who are termed flatterers by Chaudhry Nisar (Interior Minister)” wrote Hamid Mir.
He asked if these people can resort to such tactics to silence a journalist, one can only think as to what they must have done to control the members of Panamagate JIT.
It is pertinent to note here that the Panama papers case against members of Sharif family was lodged on November 3 and the Supreme Court held 35 hearings before concluding the proceedings on February 23.
On April 20, the court announced its verdict and declared that there was “insufficient evidence” to remove him from office but ordered the setting up of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the graft allegations against his family.
A six-member JIT was set up in May which also probed a number of serving and former officials in connection with the case.
The team submitted its fourth and final report to the Supreme Court on July 10 and it recommended the apex court to file a reference against the prime minister and his two sons under NAB Ordinance.