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Nawaz Sharif given week to hire new lawyer for NAB cases

09:41 AM | 12 Jun, 2018
Nawaz Sharif given week to hire new lawyer for NAB cases
ISLAMABAD - An accountability court on Tuesday ordered former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to hire new legal counsel till June 19 as Khawaja Harris distanced himself from corruption cases owing to 'dictation' from the Supreme Court.

Harris on Monday recused himself from the cases pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against members of Sharif family.

Judge Mohammad Bashir resumed hearing of the cases as Nawaz Sharif reached the accountability court for trial without any counsel.

During the hearing, the judge asked Nawaz if he wanted to hire new lawyer or continue with Haris, adding that the withdrawal request has not been accepted so far.

Nawaz replied that it was not easy to take the decision in this regard. Later, the court directed the former premier to arrange new lawyer in a week and adjourned the hearing.

The three-time prime minister then lamented that his counsel had informed the court of his inability to attend court on Saturdays and Sundays.

On Monday, Judge Mohammad Bashir had also asked the former prime minister to hire a new lawyer till Tuesday after Harris withdrew from the cases representation; however, the latter expressed reservations on it saying it would not be possible to arrange the counsel in a short time.

During the hearing of Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference, Harris said that he has taken the decision of not representing Nawaz in the cases as the Supreme Court did not accept his stance, he was referring to orders passed by the apex court on Sunday.

The corruption references, filed against the Sharifs, pertain to the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd, and Avenfield properties of London.

Announcing his decision to withdraw his legal services to Nawaz, Haris said the apex court had dictated the trial court to conclude the cases within a month. He has submitted the plea to withdrawn his wakalatnama.

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.

Withdrawing the legal services may cause a delay in the cases till the former premier hires a new counsel to represent the case.

Harris was set to cross-examine the prosecution witness, Wajid Zia, head of the Panamgate joint investigation team (JIT), in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference today.

During the hearing, Judge Mohammad Bashir called Nawaz to the rostrum and asked about his new counsel, to which, the three-time prime minister said: “I can tell you about it after consultation”.

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 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.

Earlier, the trial court had submitted the second plea for a deadline extension, which was approved by the Supreme Court ordering both sides to finish the corruption cases by June 9.

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Pakistani rupee recovers against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee continues recovering losses against US dollar and other currencies amid positive economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Tuesday, the US dollar moved down and was being quoted at 283.6 for buying and 286.65 for selling.

Euro slides down to 309 for buying and 312 for selling. British Pound rate inches up to 360 for buying, and 363.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED dropped to 77.50 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 75.90.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 5 December 2023

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar USD 283.6 286.65
Euro EUR 309 312
UK Pound Sterling GBP 360 363.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.5 78.2
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.9 76.7
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 757.72 765.72
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.93 40.33
Danish Krone DKK 41.59 41.99
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.46 36.81
Indian Rupee INR 3.42 3.53
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 922.11 931.11
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.97 61.57
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.89 177.89
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.68 26.98
Omani Riyal OMR 740.01 748.01
Qatari Riyal QAR 78.27 78.97
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.45 27.75
Swiss Franc CHF 327.65 330.15
Thai Bhat THB 8.16 8.31

Gold Rates in Pakistan - Check today gold price - 5 December 2023

The gold remained under pressure in Pakistan amid a huge drop in price of the precious metal despite in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 5 December 2023

On Tuesday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs218,500 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs187,330. 

Single tola of 24 karat is Rs218,500, 22 Karat Gold costs Rs200,290, rate of 21 karat gold stands at Rs191,190 whereas 18k gold rate is Rs163,875.00 for each tola.

In the global market, gold saw huge drop in price, coming down to $2037 per ounce after drop of $81.79.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Karachi PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Islamabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Peshawar PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Quetta PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Sialkot PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Attock PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Gujranwala PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Jehlum PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Multan PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Bahawalpur PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Gujrat PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Nawabshah PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Chakwal PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Hyderabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Nowshehra PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Sargodha PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Faisalabad PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720
Mirpur PKR 218,500 PKR 2,720

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