Nawaz gets one day exemption in Flagship Investment reference

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was granted exemption from physical appearance for one day in the Flagship Investment reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader had applied for exemption on Friday, which was approved by Accountability Court judge Arshad Malik.

Malik conducted hearing on references against Nawaz filed by NAB.

Despite the exemption, Khawaja Haris, the counsel for former premier, continued cross-examination of Wajid Zia, prosecution’s star witness in the case.

Zia informed the court that the team didn’t find any document regarding issuing of show-cause notice to Hassan Nawaz on financial statements or establishing companies. Hassan Nawaz had been staying in UK since 2001 and he had told the JIT about establishment of 12 companies.

He said that Hassan also informed the team that all companies except the ‘Coin Paddington’ were earning income and no his family member had connection with his business.

Wajid Zia revealed that Nawaz’s father, Mian Sharif, handed over 1,500 SAR (Saudi Riyal) on monthly basis to Captain (r) Safdar – the son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif.

Upon this, the judge quoted a verse from the Holy Quran which translates, “ALLAH is the best of providers.”

Moreover, the court summoned NAB’s investigation officer (IO) in Flagship Investment reference on next hearing to record his statement after the Nawaz’s counsel hinted to conclude his cross-examining with JIT head on November 5.

The court later adjourned the hearing of the case till Monday, wherein Haris would continue his cross examining with Zia.

As many as three references have been filed against the former premier in line with the directives of the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case verdict.

The elder Sharif was sentenced to ten years in prison by the Accountability Court judge Muhammad Bashir in the Avenfield reference, however, the conviction was suspended by a two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Besides Flagship reference, another reference regarding the Al-Azizia steel mills has also been filed by the accountability watchdog against the members of the former ruling family including Nawaz Sharif.