ISLAMABAD: An accountability court Friday adjourned the hearing of the Avenfield reference against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members till Monday.
Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Captain Safdar had to record their statements in the Avenfield case today (Friday).
Defence counsel Khawaja told Judge Muhammad Bashir, who was presiding over the hearing, that some questions in the questionnaire given to his clients were illegible. He pleaded to the court to put off the statements of the accused till later proceedings of the case.
The counsel asked the judge to put off the statements of the accused till next week.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar opposed the suggestion and said that the questions, which are legible being replied, while the answers to not understandable questions being given later.
The court adjourned the Avenfield reference hearing till Monday to record the statements of Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and retired Captain Safdar, under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The judge had earlier allowed a request by the prosecution to initiate the process of recording statements of the accused as all witnesses have already recorded their statements and also been cross-examined by the defence side.
Accountability references
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his sons – Hussain and Hasan – have been named in three accountability references whereas his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt Safdar have been nominated in the Avenfield reference only.
As per Avenfield Properties reference, Sharif, his brood and his son-in-law had purchased four flats in Park Lane, UK, without legitimate financial means. However, the former premier and his family members have consistently claimed that the apartments were purchased with legal means.
