Islamabad
April 3, 2016 — Panama Papers leaked
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family came under the spotlight after the Panama Papers (11.5 million secret documents) were leaked by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists which revealed a global web of corruption and tax avoidance.
April 5, 2016 — Sharif announces judicial probe
Due to mounting pressure, PM Sharif addressed the nation and announced to form a judicial commission to investigate the offshore firms owned by members of his family.
April 22, 2016 — PM says he ‘will resign if proven guilty’
In a second state address, PM Sharif vowed he will resign and go home if proven guilty by the Panama Papers probe.
May 18, 2016 — Gov. and Opposition agree on Commission to probe
Pakistan government and opposition agreed to form a 12-member committee for an inquiry commission to probe the Panama Papers.
September 30, 2016 — Imran Khan Party demands PM’s resignation
Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s PTI party, led by Imran Khan, put pressure on government by staging a sit-in outside the residence of Nawaz Sharif and demanding PM Sharif’s resignation.
October 20, 2016 — Supreme Court accepts petitions
The Supreme Court of Pakistan accepted petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, Jamhoori Watan Party, Jamaat-i-Islami and others to begin proceedings on Panama case in an open court.
November 7, 2016 — PM’s children submit replies
PM’s children Maryam Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz submitted their replies to the Court which stated that Sharif’s two sons have been living outside Pakistan for long and their father has no involvement in children’s businesses or properties. It added that Maryam is not the beneficiary owner of offshore companies Nielsen and Nescoll, but only a trustee.
November 14, 2016 — PTI submits evidence
PTI submitted 686 pages of documents including details of bank accounts and loans written off against the Sharif family in the Panama Leaks case in the Supreme Court.
November 16, 2016 — Qatar Prince’s letter thickens Panamagate plot
Sharif family submitted a letter purportedly written by Qatar Prince Shaikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani in which he claims that the London properties were purchased through the settlement of accounts between his family’s company and the Sharif family.
January 4, 2017 — New bench resumes hearing
The hearing of the Panamagate case resumed after Chief Justice Jamali’s retirement halted proceedings on December 9, 2016. The five-member bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, takes up the case.
January 26, 2017 — Second letter from Qatari prince
Sharif family submitted another letter signed by a Qatari royal which claimed that Mian Mohammad Sharif (father of PM Nawaz) invested 12 million dirhams in Al-Thani family’s real estate business “by cash”.
February 23, 2017 — Court hearings conclude; judgement awaited
After prolonged hearing, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on the case and issued a detailed judgement to be announced in April.
April 20, 2017 — Supreme Court to announce verdict
Final verdict of Panama Papers case was to be proclaimed on April 20, 2017.