Islamabad (June 25, 2018): Accountability Court hearing corruption cases against Sharif Family on Monday approved 3-days exemption to former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz from the court appearance.
Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the case, in which counsel of Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Haris appealed the court to grant exemption of 7 days to Nawaz Sharif and his daughter due to the illness of Kulsoom Nawaz, but court approved exemption of 3 days only.
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Earlier today, As the hearing went underway, accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir observed that none of the accused were in court.
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Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris informed the court that Captain (retd) Safdar would appear in court shortly. He further said that Nawaz and his daughter Maryam were both abroad. A request in that regard will be filed after Begum Kulsoom Nawaz’s June 22 medical report is printed, said Haris.
Haris began presenting his arguments, stating that he would respond to the second part of the statement of NAB’s star witness Wajid Zia.
Nawaz’s lawyer contended that the report prepared by the Joint Investigation Team constituted to probe the Panama Papers case was unacceptable as evidence in the Avenfield case.
‘Will Return To Pakistan After Improvement In Kulsoom’s Health’
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif Saturday said that he would return to Pakistan after improvement in the condition of his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, who has been under treatment in London for past few months.
Speaking to newsmen outside the Harley Street Clinic, the former premier said that his wife was struggling for her life.
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“Can I think of going back to Pakistan under such circumstances when Kulsoom is on ventilator? Do you think I should return to Pakistan leaving behind my wife in such a condition?” he asked reporters.
“[We] will decide about going back to Pakistan once Kulsoom’s health improves in next few days.”
Begum Kulsoom was admitted to hospital in London in August last year after doctors discovered she was suffering from throat cancer. She has been undergoing treatment since.
On June 14, Begum Kulsoom was shifted to the hospital’s ICU after she suffered a cardiac arrest and has been on life support since.
Nawaz and his daughter, Maryam, reached London the same day to tend to Begum Kulsoom.
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The PML-N supremo declined to comment on the political situation, saying it was inappropriate to discuss political affairs here.
“[I] will do politics after going back to Pakistan,” he added.
Nawaz thanked the entire nation for remembering his wife in prayers, adding, “May Almighty Allah grant health to all individuals who have been ill, including Kulsoom.”
Earlier on June 22, Sharif family’s lawyer Khawaja Harris on Friday continued his concluding arguments in Avenfield reference on fourth day, later hearing was adjourned till Monday(today).
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Former premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz did not appear due to exemption from hearing.
Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the references. Khawaja Harris said that Nawaz Sharif is neither the beneficial owner of London flats nor is related to it by any means.
There is no mention of Nawaz in NAB documents, he added.
Harris maintained that prosecution had to prove the ownership of London flats but it failed to do so.
He adopted stance that Nawaz Sharif is also not mentioned in the miscellaneous plea and affidavit of Tariq Shafi on which the prosecution is relying.
There is a difference between the first and second affidavit of Shafi, told the lawyer.
Khawaja Harris went on to say that Nawaz Sharif’s name is also not present in the reply of MLA that came from UAE.
“No case has been established by NAB therefore; no need was felt to present anything in defense. Moreover, the trust deed also has no connection with Nawaz because it is between Maryam and Hussain Nawaz,” said Harris.
The Cases:
SC extends the deadline of corruption cases against Sharif family by two months
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.
The trial against the Sharif family had commenced on September 14, 2017.
The corruption references, filed against the Sharifs, pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Limited, and Avenfield properties of London.
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.
The court originally had a deadline of six months which ended in mid-March but was extended for two months after the judge requested the apex court.
Later, the deadline was extended twice more, with the new date falling at July 10 now.
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