Court summons JIT head Wajid Zia in Avenfield apartments case

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad summoned joint investigation team (JIT) head Wajid Zia along with record of the probe carried out into the Sharif family’s wealth in the London-based Avenfield properties case.

Judge Muhammad Bashir issued directives for Zia to show up on the request of a NAB prosecutor. He has been asked to appear on Feb 22 along with original record of the JIT.

The judge also directed former premier Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar to ensure their presence during the hearing on that day.

During the course of the hearing on Thursday, the accountability judge rejected a request of Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law to grant fortnight’s exemption from personal attendance.

The Sharifs’ lead counsel pleaded with the judge to grant his clients permission to travel abroad to see the former premier’s ailing wife undergoing treatment in London.

He said Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law should be exempted from personal appearance from February 19 to March 5.

NAB Deputy Prosecutor General Muzaffar Abbasi opposed the plea and contended that the Supreme Court’s deadline to wrap up the case is approaching.

The deputy prosecutor said Sharif’s two sons have already been declared proclaimed offenders in the case and the case should not be further delayed.

The accountability judge then reserved a decision on the plea for a while and later rejected the request.