NAB court records statements of 4 witnesses in graft cases against Sharifs

ISLAMABAD - An accountability court on Tuesday recorded statements of four witnesses of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in corruption against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.

Judge Mohammad Bashir resumed hearing, which was attended by Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar.

The NAB has filed three references against Sharif family in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case. The three references include the London flats,  Al-Azizia Steel Mills and offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd.

During today's hearing, the court recorded the statement of Sidra Mansoor, joint secretary of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), in the Al Azizia reference. She provided record regarding Mehran Ramzan Textile Mills, owned by Hussain Nawaz.

Later, she was cross-examined by Nawaz's counsel Khawaja Harris.

Other prosecution witnesses - Uzair Rehan, Assistant Director NAB, Tasleem Khan and Mohammad Zubair - also recorder their statements before the court, while another witness could not attend the hearing due to illness.

Counsel for Nawaz's children, Amja Pervaiz raised objection over non-appearance of Daraz in the court, adding that the witness should submit a medical certificate to the court.

The court has summoned Umar Daraz again on next hearing along with other witnesses named Afaq Ahmad and Nasir Junejo. The hearing has been adjourned till Jan 16.

A number of PML-N leaders have reached the federal judicial complex to observe the hearing of the cases, while strict security measures were taken around the court.

Talking to reporters, the former prime minister slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan over his third marriage controversy.

Responding to a question regarding a movement announced by Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) Dr Tahirul Qadri, Nawaz Sharif said that it is normal to face such movements.

At the last hearing, two prosecution witnesses Mohammad Tasleem, who is commissioner Inland Revenue at the FBR, and Zawwar Manzoor recorded their statements.

NAB References 

The accountability court is hearing three references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Nawaz and his family regarding London flats, Azizia Steel Mills and other companies in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Panama Papers case.

Nawaz and his two sons, Hussain and Hasan, have been made accused in all three references whereas Maryam and her husband MNA Capt (retd) Safdar are accused in one case regarding London properties.