Islamabad(June 12, 2018): Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said those who broke the backbone of terrorists are being placed on ECL, while those who brought terrorism to the country are being removed from the list.
Talking to the newsmen outside Accountability Court, Nawaz Sharif said that he has the right to choose his counsel in the corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the Sharif family.
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Nawaz Sharif further added that “If this is a fair trial, then I have the right to choose my lawyer.
Earlier, an accountability court resumed hearing the Avenfield reference against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who appeared in court without his lawyer.
Judge Muhammad Bashir, who is hearing the reference, asked Nawaz today if he wanted to hire another legal counsel or continue with Haris, whose recusal request has not yet been accepted.
To this, Nawaz answered that the decision was not an easy one.
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“A lawyer worked hard on this case for nine months; it is not an easy decision,” Nawaz told the court.
The deposed prime minister then lamented that his lawyer had informed the court of his inability to work on Saturdays and Sundays.
“Nearly hundred attendances have been marked in the case,” Nawaz lamented. “Is this case going to be heard 24 hours a day and seven days a week?”
“Is there any similar example?” Nawaz questioned. 
Earlier, Legal Counsel of Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Haris on Monday excused from representing Nawaz Sharif from in the NAB references filed against his family.
Announcing his decision to withdraw his legal services to Nawaz during the hearing of Al-Azizia reference, Haris said the Supreme Court had ‘dictated on completing the trial within a month.’
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In a written note to the apex court, Haris said that the top court had not accepted his stance on the three references. “As a professional lawyer, I think the arguments for all of the three references [against Nawaz and his family] could be presented together,” he observed. 
The lawyer further remarked that he was dictated to work beyond court hours. Haris was also directed to appear before the court on the weekends, the written note said.
Nawaz’s former legal counsel remarked that he could not continue to work in the present conditions.
The three references are possibly faced with a delay till Nawaz hires the services of another lawyer.
Yesterday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday requested again to the Ministry of Interior to place five of the Sharif family members including former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — on the Exit Control List (ECL).
In its letter, NAB requested placing of names of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif Captain Safdar on ECL.
“The case against Sharif family in accountability court has entered in a decisive phase, therefore, there is need to review to put their names in ECL,” said NAB in its letter.
Corruption Cases:
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 on the orders of the supreme court.
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.
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