Not legally possible for Maryam Nawaz to see Volume X: Aitzaz Ahsan

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Amidst reports that Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has seen the classified Volume 10 of the Joint Investigation Team’s report, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan clarified that it is not legally possible for her to see the document.

Maryam Nawaz had recently disclosed that she has seen the classified Volume X of the JIT report investigating former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case, which formed the basis of his disqualification.

She said that there was nothing worthwhile in the Volume X, and dismissed all conspiracies behind it. This was reaffirmed by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday who said that Maryam Nawaz had seen the document through their lawyers who had access to it.

However, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan clarified that although it was physically possible for her to see Volume 10, but it was illegal, unconstitutional and a result of special favour towards her lawyers.

“Physically it is possible to see it, but technically, constitutionally and legallly it is not,” Aitzaz told ARY News host Maria Memon on Saturday.

He said that it was not legally possible as the document was sealed and still classified, but it was plausible that the Sharif’s lawyers had made a copy of it.

He furthered said that the court was bound to show to both parties any document or evidence shown to any aggrieved party. Therefore, the opposing counsel should have taken a firm stance when it was shown to the Sharif’s lawyers.

He said it was wrong when the court showed the Volume X to Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Harris, and not the opposing counsels of Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.

“Their lawyers should have sprung and demanded to be shown it as well,” said Ahsan. “It is the right of a party to receive every document shown or given to any party.

Therefore, he maintained that it is not legally possible for Maryam Nawaz to see Volume X. “If in case she has, then it is like the VIP-style accountability they are being subjected to, and result of some very special treatment to them.”