JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 11, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Jahangir Tareen has questioned a Dawn editorial on the Panama commission and said terming his party’s case as a ‘damp squib’ was unfair and unwarranted.
In a letter to the paper’s Editor Zafar Abbas, he said it appeared the editorial was “written without being aware of the actual submissions made before the Supreme Court, or even Dawn’s own reports of the observations of the bench that PTI has made out a case that warrants clear answers and that such answers were not forthcoming from the PM or his family members.”
The paper ran the editorial titled Panama commission on December 9.
Tareen lists evidence PTI has produced which he says if taken cumulatively demolished the explanation given by the prime minister to Parliament and the nation.
He wrote that “additionally, PTI’s Counsel has demonstrated from the respondents’ documents that the Dubai Steel Mill was a commercial disaster which could not have yielded any funds for investment in Jeddah or Qatar for that matter. This, please appreciate, is the foundation of the PM’s defense. Similarly, both so called Trust Deeds of 2006 are ineffective and do not corroborate the stance adopted by the respondents.”
All this, he said was “besides the fact that the Qatari letter itself destroys all previous versions presented by the PM’s side.”
Tareen went on to point out that three crucial questions orally raised by the members of the bench were not answered by the counsel for the PM whose replies were evasive.
Concluding his letter Tareen said: “…since PTI is of the considered view that it has submitted ample evidence and arguments in support of its case in ‘inquisitorial proceedings’ formation of a separate Commission has now become superfluous. Calling this decision a volte-face is, therefore, unjustified and ignores the context of the decision.”
The Supreme Court hearing the Panama Leaks case Friday adjourned the proceedings until the first week of January.
April 30, 2025: Freedom of expression in Pakistan is under threat, as the 2025 Freedom Network report reveals increased arrests, censorship, and legal restrictions following amendments to PECA, posing serious risks to journalists and democratic values.
April 30, 2025: Dawn has criticized the Indian media's calls for war and condemned the banning of 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, urging a rational response after the Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead.
April 28, 2025: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets and individual journalists, following the deadly Pahalgam attack. Tensions escalate as Islamabad demands a neutral probe.
April 23, 2025: Pakistani journalists respond in unison to a post hinting at a possible Indian military strike. Citing the 2019 ‘Swift Retort,’ they warn of a stronger response if provoked again.
April 21, 2025: After being expelled from PTI, MNA Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists and Aleema Khan, sparking outrage on social media over his offensive remarks.
April 21, 2025: Journalist Sanaullah Khan reveals that the FIA has launched a financial crackdown on YouTubers by freezing the bank accounts of journalists and their family members—raising serious concerns over freedom of expression and legal process.
April 20, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz launched his fifteenth book, In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple and Triple Centuries 1876–2025, at an elegant Islamabad event, reflecting on cricket’s rarest feats and his journey as a scholar of the game.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.
April 22, 2025 Once a beacon of hope for Pakistan's cricket revival, the Pakistan Super League now grapples with stagnation and moral compromises. Can this cultural symbol reclaim its lost soul?
April 21, 2025 An Italian newspaper, Il Foglio, successfully published a month-long AI-written insert and praised its irony and analytical abilities, while affirming that AI will complement—not replace—quality journalism.
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.