Nawaz and his family are facing three corruption cases in the accountability court after NAB filed references against them in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panama Papers case last year.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
According to the details, former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son in law, Captain Retired Safdar are present in the court, judge Muhammad Bashir is hearing the case.Click Play Button To Watch This Video
Witness of defence, JIT’s Wajid Zia will record his statement in the reference.Yesterday, the Apex Court extended the deadline for concluding corruption cases against former PM Nawaz Sharif and his family until June 9.
As the hearing went under way, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who is the monitoring judge of the corruption cases, asked why the trial has not concluded yet.The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor replied that the trial has concluded in one reference.
Justice Ahsan then inquired if arguments in the Avenfield reference have concluded and whether its verdict can be given separately.When the head of the two member bench Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, asked how much time the defence counsel requires, Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris said he needs three months.The court however extended the deadline for a month.Justice Ahsan remarked that the rights of the accused will be safeguarded at all costs.
Background Of The Cases:
The trial against the Sharif family commenced on September 14, 2017 with a six-month deadline.
The corruption references, filed against the Sharifs, pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London.
NAB had earlier filed interim references in all three cases and later added supplementary references to them with new evidence and witnesses.
Nawaz and sons Hussain and Hasan are accused in all three references whereas his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Safdar are accused in the Avenfield reference only.
The two brothers, based abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings began last year and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.
Related News:
SC Extends Deadline to Conclude NAB Ref Against Sharif Family
