Nawaz Sharif owned Avenfield flats while holding public office, NAB officer informs accountability court

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The investigating officer of National Accountability Court (NAB) told the accountability court that Nawaz Sharif was the owner of the Avenfield properties in London while holding public office.

NAB investigation officer, Imran Dogar recorded his statement in the court on Wednesday and during the hearing, he made startling revelations before the accountability court and informed the court that Nawaz Sharif was the real owner of the London flats while holding the public office.

Dogar added that the London flats were purchased through offshore companies in someone else’s name (to conceal ownership) and alleged that Sharif family failed to show any source of income for purchasing the properties in London.

He added Avenfield properties were in the use of Nawaz and his family since 1993.

Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam could not appear in court today as they were unable to fly off from Lahore owing to inclement weather.

Moreover, Maryam’s counsel Amjad Pervez also failed to appear before the court and his associate counsel submitted a power of attorney on behalf of his client.

During the last hearing, Nawaz’s counsel had requested the court not to allow recording of Dogar’s statement. However, the judge remarked that he will give an order on the plea later and directed Dogar to record his statement.

Nawaz and his family are facing three corruption cases which pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London in the Accountability Court-I after the NAB filed references against them in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panama Papers case.

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.