Nawaz hires new counsel to represent him in NAB references

ISLAMABAD: Erstwhile premier Nawaz Sharif has hired a new counsel Jahangir Jadoon to advocate him in the references filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after Khawaja Haris recused himself from the case on June 11.

On behalf of his client (Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif), Jahangir Jadoon submitted his power of attorney to Judge Mohammad Bashir who was hearing the Avenfield case in an accountability court on Thursday.

Nonetheless, Maryam Nawaz’s counsel Amjad Pervaiz failed to appear before the court on Thursday (today). Judge Muhammad Bashir adjourned the hearing until June 19 and granted the time to the counsel to present final arguments in the next hearing.

Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were given an exemption from appearing in the court in previous hearing. The duo of father and daughter has left for London today to visit ailing Kulsoom Nawaz and will return to Pakistan after Eid holidays.

On June 11, Khawaja Haris, former counsel of Nawaz Sharif in accountability references excused from pursuing the references further more. The counsel formally withdrew from the case as the accountability court resumed proceedings in the Al Azizia Steel Mills reference.

His move came after the Supreme Court gave the accountability court a 30-day deadline to wind up all three cases, also advised that the hearing of the case be held on a daily basis, even on Saturdays.

The counsel told the accountability judge that it is not possible for him to pursue these cases under pressure. He also expressed his inability to work on the weekly off days of courts.

The accountability judge Mohammad Bashir, after the defence counsel’s withdrawal of his paper of attorney, asked Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif if he would like to engage another lawyer or would he attempt to convince Khawaja Haris to continue with the case.