–PML-N chief says sit-in held by PTI in 2014 is continuing in one form or another to date
–Nawaz and Maryam file fresh application for exemption from personal appearance from Dec 5 to Jan 5, 2018
ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the “rules of the game should be equal”, as four prosecution witnesses recorded their statements before Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir on Wednesday after the court resumed the trial of corruption references filed against Nawaz, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired captain Muhammad Safdar at the Federal Judicial Complex.
A number of senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders were present at the court to welcome Nawaz.
Judge Bashir had last week granted Nawaz a seven-day exemption from personal appearance while his daughter Maryam was exempted for a month. However, the duo appeared before the court on Wednesday due to a change in their plans.
The exemption was granted on the grounds that both wanted to see the ailing Kulsoom Nawaz, who is undergoing treatment in the UK, as well as security reasons.
On Wednesday, Nawaz and Maryam filed an application in the court requesting a change in the exemption period, seeking to be absent from Dec 5 to Jan 5, 2018. The court has issued notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit its reply on the application.
The Sharif family members left the court after two prosecution witnesses recorded their statements.
FOUR NEW WITNESSES TESTIFY:
NAB prosecution presented four new witnesses against the Sharifs on Wednesday.
Muhammad Rasheed, Mazhar Raza Khan Bangash — who belongs to RIAA Barker Gillette law firm — Chaudhry Sugar Mills CFO Shahbaz Haider Chaudhry and banker Tayyab testified before the court.
The witnesses recorded their statements in the Avenfiled flats reference and were cross-examined by Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Harris.
In his statement, Rasheed testified that he had received a letter from NAB Lahore on Sept 5. He appeared before the bureau and handed over the required documents to the investigating officer.
NAB prosecutor Afzal Qureshi exchanged hot words with the counsel as the former accused the latter of trying to confuse the witness.
Harris objected to what he called was “unnecessary intervention” from the NAB prosecutor.
“Khawaja sahib can ask anything and we stay quiet?” the prosecutor responded.
The witness stated that he had no personal connection with the documents he had submitted.
Bangash, the second witness, stated that he appeared before NAB Lahore on Aug 30 and submitted the required documents to the investigating officer. He verified the copy of his affidavit submitted to the court by NAB.
He said the documents submitted to NAB had been provided by his company but he could not comment or give his opinion on the document.
Objecting to Harris’ comment that it is easy to speak the truth but “telling lies is different”, the NAB prosecutor remarked: “It is inappropriate to call a witness a liar before the court.”
Chaudhry said that he had recently taken up the CFO position at the mills, therefore, the documents presented by NAB regarding the mills were not prepared by him nor did they carry his signatures.
Tayyab, an employee of a private bank, confirmed that the documents pertaining to Nawaz Sharif’s five bank accounts were prepared by him and carried his signatures. He further said that three of those accounts were in foreign currencies — US Dollar, British Pound and Euro.
Harris objected that the documents presented by Tayyab had not been provided to him prior to the witness’ statement, at which the court ordered copies of the documents to be provided to the lawyer.
At the last hearing, NAB prosecution had presented its first two witnesses in court ─ Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Joint Registrar Sidra Mansoor and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Inland Revenue Department representative, Jahangir Ahmad ─ both of whom recorded their statements in the references against the Sharif family.
‘RULES OF THE GAME SHOULD BE SAME’:
Compared to previous hearings, Nawaz Sharif appeared to be in a relaxed mood during Wednesday’s hearing and was seen smiling.
During the hearing, Nawaz while addressing a journalist pointed out that his [the journalist’s] wallet was protruding from his pocket and he should tuck it in.
“It might happen that someone pulls it out and I end up being accused for it,” he quipped.
Talking to reporters as he exited the court, Nawaz said his party would ensure the power of the vote in Pakistan.
“This is a democratic country… we will ensure the sanctity of [people’s] vote here.”
Nawaz said he had been “hurt” by Pakistan People’s Party’s support the previous day for an opposition bill — seeking to restore the bar on a disqualified person from holding party office — in the National Assembly.
“PPP’s democratic credentials are being questioned today,” he claimed.
Earlier, talking to reporters upon his arrival at the court, Nawaz said the sit-in held by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2014 is continuing in the country in one form or another to date.
He said “corruption cases” are now emerging against the PTI leadership as well, including Imran Khan, Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan.
Nawaz alleged that verdicts against his family are announced swiftly and wondered when judgements against the PTI leaders will be announced.
“The standard of justice applies differently to us than others. The mockery of requisites of justice should be stopped.”
Sharif said the court judgements against his family have affected the government’s progress “but we will continue to perform”.
