Asghar Khan Case: Nawaz fails to appear before SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC), on Wednesday, adjourned the hearing of Asghar Khan Case till June 12, after former Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf failed to appear before the bench.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar was hearing the case.

In the beginning, the bench ordered Nawaz Sharif to reach Supreme Court in an hour while giving the remarks over his absence that the accused was issued a notice beforehand by the court.

After the break, the top judge again asked whether Nawaz Sharif has arrived, on which Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali responded that the former premier will appear through his lawyer. The apex court granted Nawaz Sharif time to seek a legal counsel.

“Whoever is alleged of receiving money for rigging 1990 polls will have to appear in the court to testify whether they took money or not,” the court observed.

READ MORE: CJP disappointed with cabinet’s failure in forming policy in Asghar Khan case

On the Supreme Court summon, veteran politician Javed Hashmi and General (retd) Aslam Beg were present during the hearing.

Chief Justice noted that the government has handed over the case of army personnel to the Military and the matter will be dealt by them in accordance to the law; whereas, the cases pertaining to the civilians are being looked after by Federal Investigating Agency (FIA).

General (retd) Beg informed the court that in 1996, his case was sent to the Military but the then army chief refused to initiate the proceedings. On the request of retired officer, the CJP then asked him to be investigated by FIA.

The bench enquired PML-N leader Javed Hashmi about receiving the money for rigging, in his response Hashmi stated “I have not taken any money and I was acquitted in the corruption charges by the accountability court after a five-year-long trial.”

The top court ordered all the 31 respondents in the Asghar Khan case, including Nawaz Sharif and Javed Hashmi, to submit written replies by June 9 (Saturday).

The court adjourned the hearing till June 12.