ISLAMABAD – Wajid Zia, the head of six-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and prosecution’s star, said no evidence was found linking former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to Hill Metal Establishment.
Zia made the revelations as his cross-examination was resumed in the Al-Azizia reference on Friday.
“Neither any witness claimed nor there is any document to show that Nawaz was involved in any way with Hill Metal Establishment,” Zia said before the accountability court Judge Mohammad Bashir.
He continued that there was also no document showing that Nawaz had the authority to take loans or run Hill Metal or made deals with financial institutions.
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Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris cross-examined Zia where the latter admitted that there was no document regarding Nawaz’s involvement in the sale or running of Gulf Steel Mills.
When questioned about the registration of Hill Metal Establishment, the Panamagate JIT head replied that documents substantiate the registration in 2005.
“JIT could not ascertain during investigation that Hill Metal was a sole proprietorship or a partner company,” he asserted.
Further, when Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris asked him whether during the investigation the JIT questioned the former premier regarding how Hill Metal was established, Zia replied in the negative.
“He was not asked about who funded, owns or runs Hill Metal,” the JIT head added.
Responding to Khawaja Haris’ question that whether Nawaz was asked if he used the money from Hill Metal to do politics, Zia said that the Nawaz Sharif responded by saying ‘no’ when asked the question.
“No witness claimed that Hussain Nawaz was financially supported by Nawaz during his time abroad,” he added.
The cross-examination of Panamagate JIT head has been adjourned till Monday.
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.
