An accountability judge on Monday refused to exempt former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif from personal appearance in court even though their lawyer insisted that his clients were leaders of ‘national caliber’ and a senior lawyer should be allowed to appear on their behalf.
As Special Accountability Court Judge Chaudhry Abdul Haq took up petitions requesting reopening of references against the Sharif family’s alleged corruption, the Sharifs’ lawyer informed the court that the Sharif family members were leaders of a national level and senior advocate Akram Sheikh would appear before the court on their behalf in the references. However, the judge said that appearance of an accused before the court in criminal cases was mandatory, as he adjourned the petitions against the alleged corruption done by the Sharif family vis-à-vis the Hudaibia Paper Mills, Ittefaq Foundries and lands in Raiwind.
The judge said the accused could be summoned once the petitions were admitted for hearing. “It is mandatory for the accused to appear before the courts in criminal cases. In case of absence, the accused may be declared absconders,” the judge said while reviewing the power of attorney submitted by counsel of the Sharif family, Chaudhry Hassan, empowering Akram Sheikh to appear before the court on behalf of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and three others. NAB Additional Prosecutor General Chaudhry Riaz objected to the power of attorney, saying everyone was equal in eyes of the law and there was no exemption to anyone, particularly in criminal cases.
Hassan argued on the merits of the petitions about reopening of corruption references, saying the Sharif family always respected the courts. Judge Abdul Haq adjourned the hearing until September 15, directing the accused and defence counsel to come fully prepared as there would be no unnecessary delay in advancing the proceeding into the cases. On July 18, the court had issued notices to Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, MNA Hamza Shahbaz and six other family members in the Hudaibia Paper Mills, Ittefaq Foundry and Raiwind land corruption cases.
On July 28, fresh notices were issued as no accused had appeared before the court as asked.
The petitions had requested the court to reopen references pertaining to Ittefaq Foundries and Raiwind assets.
In the reference relating to Raiwind assets, the main allegation is that Nawaz had acquired vast tracts of land upon which a number of palatial houses and mansions were built with resources which appeared to be grossly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Apart from Sharif, his mother is an accused in the case. Moreover, in the state versus Ittefaq Foundries etc case, Nawaz, his brother Abbas Sharif and Kamal Qureshi are accused of committing corruption of Rs 1,063 million. The main allegation in the case is that Ittefaq Foundries Ltd obtained cash finance from the National Bank and per NAB’s allegations, the company willfully defaulted to pay back the amount in 1994.
Messrs Sharif, no one is above the land. Now is the time to support the judiciary.
law***
Only a Peoples Revolution can get rid of these politicians
I agree. But when?
i wanna know how he managed to finance his hair transplant
nawaz sharif is punished by nature for strengthening zardari who played on his mumafti politics and army bogey.he gave up his long march,spurned ml-choudries and others who wanted to join him to stop zardari anti nation acts.what nawaz sharif did for other reasons imran khan is doing again to strengthen him and his coalition crimnal mafia,mqm,anp,pppz in just hate of one man.nawaz sharif.it is him who is pleased for country become hostage of zardaris ill gotten trillions because he goes against nawaz sharif.imran khan arrogated after his big jalsas is ruining country
Dear Pakistanis,
It is about time in our history of more than 60 years that we take corruption very seriously, corruption is the big reason this beautiful country full of natural resources is still struggling.
Zardari and PPP ruling government will end in few months with the new election coming up, but for the future we MUST make sure that in our country we have no place for people like Nawaz Shariff and family. It's a family party and family mafia who made billions from corruption.
All Pakistanis asks Nawaz Shariff and family to surrender their assets to the people of Pakistan. And my message to die-heart and non-corrupt fans of PML-N is to please either go join another party or make own new party. To change a party you will not loose your face, you will deffinitely loose your face if you keep supporting corrutption. Qiade Azam the great man we admire also changed his party for good of Pakistan.
My last message to Nawaz Shariff and family if you try to trick the judiary this time, beleive me, 180 million people are standing with the judiary. Save your face and leave this place.
Pakistan Zindabad.
All,
Please confirm your voting right by sending your NI number to 8300.
http://www.ecp.gov.pk/
This is our chance to teach Sharifs a lesson & get back the billions they stole from every Pakistani.
Let them prove their innocence in the court. I think they must engage Kh. Asif as their counsel to defend them in the court.
what Judge? biased and disguised as a politician
I am sure that the Sharifs can make an appearance in court. After all, as citizens they must if requested to do so
he knows that he is courrpt
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