Panama Papers case
The Panama Papers case (officially titled Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi v. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif), or the Panamagate case, was a 2017 landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Pakistan that disqualified Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, from holding public office for life.
| Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi vs Muhammad Nawaz Sharif | |
|---|---|
| Court | Supreme Court of Pakistan |
| Decided | July 28, 2017 |
| Citation(s) | PLD 2017 SC 265; PLD 2017 SC 692 |
| Case history | |
| Subsequent action(s) | Court rules that electoral disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) continues for life in Sami Ullah Baloch v. Abdul Karim Nousherwani. |
| Related action(s) | Court disqualifies Jahangir Khan Tareen from holding public office in Hanif Abbasi v. Jahangir Khan Tareen. |
| Ruling | |
| Mian Nawaz Sharif disqualified from holding office as Prime Minister and Member of National Assembly. National Accountability Bureau ordered to initiate legal proceedings against the Sharif family. | |
| Court membership | |
| Judges sitting | Justices
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| Case opinions | |
| Majority | Ejaz Afzal Khan, joined by a unanimous bench |
| Laws applied | |
| Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of Pakistan Section 12(2)(f), 19(f) of the Representation of People Act, 1976 | |
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|---|---|---|
Parties Elections First ministry and term Second ministry and term Third ministry and term Gallery: picture, sound, video |
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Opposition politicians Imran Khan and Sheikh Rasheed petitioned the court in the aftermath of the Panama Papers leak, which uncovered links between the Sharif family and eight offshore companies. The Court initially ordered the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) to inquire into allegations of money laundering, corruption, and contradictory statements by Sharif and his relations in a 3–2 split decision on 20 April 2017, with the dissenting judges ruling that Sharif be disqualified. After the JIT submitted its report and subsequent arguments were heard, the Court disqualified Sharif from holding public office by unanimous verdict.
The case has been described as the most publicized in Pakistan's history, as well as a "defining moment" for the country.