JIT Findings Unacceptable As Evidence: Haris Tells Court

The defense counsel in Avenfield property reference, Khawaja Haris Thursday remarked before the accountability court that the joint investigation team (JIT)'s findings were based on an investigation report that couldn't be present as evidence against his clients.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2018 ) :The defense counsel in Avenfield property reference, Khawaja Haris Thursday remarked before the accountability court that the joint investigation team (JIT)'s findings were based on an investigation report that couldn't be present as evidence against his clients.

Accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir conducted hearing of Avenfield property reference against Sharif family members filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The defense counsel continued final arguments on third day.

As the hearing began, Haris contended that the JIT was an investigation agency. Some rules use to be set for an investigation, which decide what is an acceptable evidence and what is not. The matter would have been handed over to the NAB, if a routine case, which would have been filed after the investigation.

The apex court had formed the JIT with investigation powers and handed over it the powers of the NAB and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the counsel argued. According to the court orders, the JIT was an investigating agency, he said.

He said the investigation and court proceedings were two separate things. The courts were responsible to announce the judgment on basis of available investigation material, he said, adding that if the investigation agency formed an opinion itself then what would be the role of prosecution? Haris said the prosecution was not authorized to use statements recorded under section 161for its objectives, however, saying that the accused could use this in his favor.

The audio and video recording of any statement couldn't be admitted as an evidence, the defense counsel continued and added that JIT findings were only an investigation report.

He said the JIT head Wajid Zia had presented even irrelevant material in the case. Capital FZE company and financial statement of Sharif family also have nothing to do with this case, he said.

During hearing, the judge remarked that the defense counsel has challenged the complete JIT report rather than its certain part. On this stage of proceeding this issue need to be settled, he said.

Haris replied that he had been objecting over this report earlier. The witness mentioned by Wajid Zia in his statement were never produced before the court to testify, he said.

These witnesses were required to be produced before court in accordance of law, he maintained.

The defense counsel further said that JIT had developed a complete thesis in which it has given the opinions about the statement of the accused, which was the mandate of court.

Haris said that he has given his arguments on one part of JIT report comprising opinions. Next he would argue on remaining two parts comprising statements under 161 and attached material, he further added.

Later, the court adjourned hearing of the case till tomorrow, wherein Khawaja Haris would continue his closing arguments in Avenfield property reference.