Nawaz Sharif secures single day exemption in Flagship investment reference

ISLAMABAD - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was granted exemption from physical appearance for one day in the Flagship reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The supreme leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz had applied for exemption on Friday which was approved by the accountability court judge, Arshad Malik.

Despite the exemption, Khawaja Haris, the counsel for former premier continued cross-examination of Wajid Zia, prosecution's star witness in the case.

During the hearing of the case, Wajid Zia revealed that Mian Shareef handed over 1500 SAR (Saudi Riyal) on monthly basis to Captain (r) Safdar - the son-in-law of Nawaz Sharif.

Upon this, the judge quoted a verse from the Holy Quran which translates, Allah is the Best of Providers.

As many as three references have been filed against the former premier in line with the directives of the supreme court in the Panama Papers case verdict.

The elder Sharif was sentenced to ten years in prison by the accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, in the Avenfield reference, however, the conviction was suspended by a two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court.

Besides Flagship reference, another reference regarding the Al-Azizia steel mills has also been filed by the accountability watchdog against the members of the former ruling family including Nawaz Sharif.