'Defiant' Nawaz negates requesting SC for exemption in graft references

ISLAMABAD - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif claimed on Monday that he had neither requested the Supreme Court for an exemption nor planned to do so, regarding the graft references being heard by the accountability court.

In a brief informal conversation with newsmen outside the Federal Judicial Complex Islamabad, the supreme leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz did not comment on the cases filed against Musharraf and the 'leverage' extended by the top court.

Nawaz Sharif appeared before Judge Muhammad Bashir in the Al-Azizia reference today where his counsel Khawaja Haris withdrew himself from representing the former ruling family citing the 'harsh' restrictions imposed by the top court a day earlier.

In a written note to the apex court, Haris said that the top court had not accepted his viewpoint on the three references. “As a professional lawyer, I think the concluding arguments for all of the three references could be presented together,” he maintained.

The lawyer further remarked that he was dictated to work beyond court hours and during off days – Saturday and Sunday.

Harris, who represented Nawaz for nine months in the cases, said that he could not work under such circumstances.

The accountability judge has given one-day to Nawaz Sharif to decide on the matter. Following the abrupt development, the court has adjourned the case until Tuesday.

Supreme Court’s Orders

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday ordered the accountability court to announce a decision on all three corruption references against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam within a month.

A two-judge bench headed by the chief justice heard the petition seeking further extension for the conclusion of trails against Nawaz and his family with regard to corruption references.

During the hearing, the chief justice rejected Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris’ request for completing trial in six weeks, observing that final verdict against the former premier, his sons, daughter and son-in-law should be announced within a month.

The top court had disqualified former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Panamagate verdict in July 28, 2017, and was set a deadline of six months which ended in mid-March but was extended for two months after the judge requested the court.

The top judge also allowed Nawaz Sharif and his daughter to see ailing Begum Kulsoom Nawaz in London if they wanted so during the trial period.

Cases Against Sharifs

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.

The other two references are pertaining to Gulf Steel Mills, Hill Metal Establishment and the offshore firms owned by the embattled family.

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.