Tariq Ullah Wardag
ISLAMABAD: The accountability court hearing a NAB reference against Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar in Islamabad has adjourned till tomorrow.
The accountability court conducting corruption proceedings against Nawaz Sharif in the supplementary Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investment Ltd references.
During the hearing, five more witnesses have recorded their statements while cross-examination over their statements was also completed while the court has also summoned three more witnesses for next hearing.
The counsel of accused Khawaja Haris requested the court for the recording of the statement of Panama JIT head Wajid Zia saying his statement should be recorded and cross-examination simultaneously in all three references.
“The main motive of this request is to heading the case towards correct direction,” Haris said.
Earlier, in the morning as the hearing went underway, the court was informed that Nawaz’s primary counsel, Khawaja Harris, is busy in the Supreme Court and will be able to join the accountability court proceedings by 1 pm.
Nawaz’s secondary counsel Ayesha Hamid pleaded before Judge Mohammad Bashir that her client is exempted from appearing again. The NAB prosecutor opposed the plea, saying the accused needs to be present when witnesses record statements as per the law.
However, the judge accepted the plea and adjourned the hearing until 1 pm. As the hearing resumed, witness Naveed-ur-Rehman began recording his statement.
During the recording of statement, Harris and NAB prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi exchanged heated arguments over the NAB prosecutor’s “constant meddling”, however, the two resolved their differences on the judge’s intervention.
Speaking to the media after appearing for his corruption hearing, Nawaz said unlike Imran he will not spread unverified allegations. He added that he will make a statement on the matter after reaching a conclusion on the subject.
Nawaz said he heard that the Supreme Court will take up the case at 1pm today, adding that he will see how the apex court proceeds on the matter.
