Classified Volume X of Panama JIT report comes under discussion as accountability court hears Al-Azizia reference

ISLAMABAD – The accountability court in Islamabad discussed the classified volume X of the report formulated by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) tasked to probe the offshore dealings of Sharif family.

As the hearing of the Al-Azizia reference resumed on Monday, the prosecutor of National Accountability Bureau objected over a question regarding Volume 10 during cross-examination of star witness Wajid Zia.

During the hearing at accountability court 2, Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris asked Zia if Volume 10 of the report was sealed in presence of the Supreme Court registrar.

In response to this, Zia, who also served as the JIT head, replied he did not remember as it was a year-old matter.

Haris further asked the witness if Volume 10 was sealed in front of him, to which Zia replied in the affirmative.

However, the witnesses said, he was not sure if the records were sealed before being taken to the Supreme Court.

He added that no court order sheet implied that Volume 10 was submitted in Supreme Court on July 10.

On the occasion, NAB prosecutor Wasiq Malik said Volume 10 was present in the Supreme Court in a sealed package, requesting that Nawaz’s counsel should not be allowed to question Zia regarding the records.

Malik added the question on Volume 10 being present in a sealed package cannot be argued over during the cross-examination.

A separate petition should be filed in this regard, he added.

The NAB prosecutor also said if Nawaz’s counsel had issues pertaining to Volume 10, he could have written to the court but should not probe Zia regarding the documents.

To this, Haris argued that his question was justified as the matter came up during cross-examination as since it was being used against his client, he had the right to defence.

Over this, NAB prosecutor said MLA and Supreme Court order were two different matters.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif was not present during the hearing as he was in Jati Umra following the demise of his wife, Kulsoom Nawaz.

Nawaz Sharif was granted parole to take part in the funeral which ended today and the former premier is expected to show up before the court in future hearings.

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