Avenfield properties case: Maryam Nawaz’s counsel completes Wajid Zia’s cross examination  

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Maryam Nawaz’s counsel on Tuesday, completed the cross-examination of Wajid Zia, a key prosecution witness in Avenfield properties case against Sharif family.

Judge Muhammad Bashir, who is presiding over the proceeding, resumed hearing of Avenfield corruption case filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the light of the Panamagate verdict.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (Retd) Safdar also appeared before the court.

Maryam’s counsel Amjad Pervez is cross-examining Wajid Zia, who headed the joint investigation team (JIT) in the Panama Papers case.

During the hearing, Zia informed the court that a mutual legal assistance request was sent to British Virgin Islands attorney general for verification of foreign documents on May 31.

Nawaz and Maryam did not attend the last two hearings of the case as they were unable to depart from Lahore due to weather condition.

The case of the Sharif family’s upscale London flats is based on a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the Supreme Court’s directives last year.

Three corruption references had been filed against the Sharif family, on the directives of the top court including Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London.

Nawaz Sharif and his sons Hussain and Hasan are accused in all three references whereas his daughter Maryam and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar are named in the Avenfield reference only.

Hussian and Hassan Nawaz are UK-based and have been absconding since the proceedings began last year, however, the former premier has been showing up regularly before the court of judge Muhammad Bashir.