More witnesses record statements in graft cases against Nawaz, family

ISLAMABAD: The accountability court in Islamabad is hearing corruption references filed against former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r)Safdar.

Nawaz flew in with Maryam and Safdar from Lahore this morning and made his way to court after a brief stay at Punjab House. A heavy contingent of police was seen stationed outside the court on their arrival.

This is Nawaz’s 13th appearance before the court, which has been conducting proceedings of three references filed against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in light of the Supreme Court’s July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case.

The references against the Sharif family pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London.

WITNESSES RECORD STATEMENTS:

During the proceedings, three witnesses recorded their statements in front of Judge Mohammad Bashir.

The court first began recording the statement of NAB official Nasir Janjua, a witness in the Flagship reference. After recording his statement, Janjua was cross-examined by Khawaja Harris, Nawaz’s counsel.

Later, NAB’s Umar Draz Gondal recorded his statement and was then cross-examined by Harris.

NO STRENGTH IN CASES:

Exiting the courtroom while the hearing continued, Nawaz questioned the legal strength of the cases.

Addressing the media, he said, “you (reporters) are here every time and know how strong these cases are”.

At the last hearing on January 9, four prosecution witnesses recorded their statements.

NAB REFERENCES:

A five-member bench of the Supreme Court on July 28 had directed NAB to file references against Nawaz and his children in six weeks in the accountability court and directed the trial court to decide the references within six months.

The Supreme Court also assigned Justice Ijazul Ahsan a supervisory role to monitor the progress of the accountability court proceedings.

The former premier and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB references, while Maryam and husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield reference.