Avenfield reference: A timeline

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The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed three references against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family in light of the Supreme Court’s directives in Panama Papers case.

The references pertain to the Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment, their London properties, and over a dozen offshore companies owned by the family.

Maryam and Safdar are only nominated in the London properties reference.

If convicted, the accused may face up to 14 years imprisonment and lifelong disqualification from holding public office including the freezing of bank accounts and assets.

September 8, 2017: NAB files four references against Sharif family, Dar in accountability courts.

September 19, 2017: Former PM, family told to appear in court in two more references.

September 21, 2017: Sharif family forbidden from selling, transferring properties.

October 9, 2017: Maryam and husband granted bail in graft reference.

October 19, 2017: Accountability judge indicts Nawaz Sharif, Maryam and Safdar in Avenfield apartments case; also indicts former PM in Azizia Mills and Hill Metal reference.

October 26, 2017: Accountability court issues arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif.

October 31, 2017: SECP ordered to freeze shares of Hassan and Hussain Nawaz.

November 10, 2017: Hassan and Hussain’s 30-day deadline to appear before court expires.

November 14, 2017: NAB urges court to seize Hassan and Hussain’s properties.

December 4, 2017: Nawaz’s sons Hassan and Hussain declared POs in graft cases.

January 16, 2018: NAB team leaves for London to collect new evidence.

February 22, 2018: NAB’s witness admits Calibri font was available in 2005 on ‘limited’ scale.

March 29, 2018: JIT head admits letters written by Qatari royal himself.

April 9, 2018: NAB prosecutor protests ‘harassment’ of Wajid Zia by Sharif’s lawyer.

May 3, 2018: NAB witness, IO Imran Dogar says deposed PM owned Neilson and Nescoll while being in office and used companies to buy London properties.

May 8, 2018: Accountability Judge Bashir requests SC to grant another extension in time after two-month deadline expires.

May 9, 2018: SC gives anti-graft court one more month to conclude Sharifs’ trial.

May 21, 2018: Nawaz denies ownership of London properties.

May 24, 2018: JIT report ‘irrelevant’, JIT members controversial, Maryam tells court.

May 25, 2018: Maryam says Hussain real beneficial owner of Nielsen, Nescoll.

May 29, 2018: Safdar tells court he was signatory of offshore companies and Maryam was trustee of Nielsen, Nescoll.

June 7, 2018: Nawaz Sharif actual owner of London flats, court told.

June 10, 2018: Decide Sharifs’ fate within one month, SC tells NAB court.

June 11, 2018: Khawaja Haris throws in the towel and recuses himself from fighting Nawaz’s case.

June 19, 2018: Khawaja Haris resumes role as lead counsel for Nawaz.

July 3, 2018: Court reserves verdict and Sharif’s fate to be decided on July 6th.

July 6, 2018: Court rejects Nawaz’s plea to postpone announcement of verdict.