ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris on Tuesday pleaded before the accountability court (AC) that his client could not be declared a ‘benamidar’ owner of assets on account of taking any benefit from them.
Presenting his final arguments in the Al-Azizia reference case that was taken up for hearing by AC judge Arshad Malik, Haris said neither did the former premier ever depend on the Gulf Steel Mills financially nor did he have any first-hand information about it.
He told the court that the joint investigation report (JIT) had also admitted in its report that Nawaz had given a statement about the Gulf Steel Mills on the basis of heresy and added his client had nothing to do with the letters of the Qatari prince, which only pertained to his son Hassan Nawaz.
Speaking of the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, Haris said that it had three shareholders – Hussain Nawaz, Abbas Sharif and Rabia Sharif.
“The investigation officer’s statement was an unacceptable evidence in accordance of law,” he said.
Haris claimed the prosecution could not present any evidence against Nawaz to prove him as a ‘benamidar’ owner of the assets.
“Only receiving money from his son through the Hill Metal Establishment does not prove Nawaz as the owner of the assets,” he said and added that the accused did not receive any amount from Al-Azizia Steel Mills.
Nawaz did not hold any public office when the Al-Azizia Steel Mills were established, he added.
Later, the court adjourned the case till Wednesday, wherein Haris would continue presenting his final arguments.