ISLAMABAD – Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor General claimed in his closing arguments in the Avenfield properties case that the Sharif family failed to prove its source of income.
During the hearing of the graft case in the accountability court on Wednesday, the official also accused Maryam Nawaz of hiding facts, adding that the accused individuals had tried to mislead the anti-corruption body.
Abbasi continued that Hussain Nawaz shifted to the upscale London flats in 1993 and even paid utility bills, while Hasan Nawaz moved in the said apartments in 1994.
He also claimed that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the former premier of Pakistan, was the actual owner of Gulf Steel Mills, contrary to the observation of Wajid Zia, the head of six-member Joint Investigation Team, who said that there was no link between Nawaz Sharif and the said steel mills.
Nawaz who appeared before the accountability court earlier, left after marking his attendance; Sharifs lawyer filed a one-day exemption plea from appearance which was approved by Judge Muhammad Bashir.
He informed the court that Safdar was in Mansehra to obtain nomination papers for the elections.
Talking to newsmen outside the accountability court, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan Muslim League (N) was striving for progress and prosperity in the country and would lead people to bring change in the country in the year 2018 adding nobody could stop the change coming in the country.
He alleged that pre-poll rigging started much before the elections.
“Pre-poll rigging was started when he was removed from the post of president of the party and was disqualified for life.”
Nawaz Sharif claimed candidates of the party were deprived of party tickets in the Senate elections. He was of the view the members of PML-N were forced to join other parties.
To a question about his appearance in the Supreme Court, he said he would consult with his lawyer about it.
To another question about the book of Reham Khan, he said he did not know about the matter and Imran Khan could tell about it in a better way.
“I have only read in the newspapers about the book of Reham Khan.” He condemned the incidents of torture of journalists.
The Avenfield reference, pertaining to the Sharif family’s London properties, is among three filed against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last year on the Supreme Court’s directives.
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.
On Tuesday, the accountability court had dismissed a slew of petitions, submitted by the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, requesting for final arguments in all the three references against the Sharif family to be clumped together.
“You may challenge this verdict in the high court,” remarked Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir after dismissing the petition.
The references against the former ruling family have been formed on the basis of Panama Gate Joint Investigation Team report, which was ordered by the apex court to probe assets of the Sharif family.
