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.
Sharifs must appear in court, judge rules
