JIT head records statement in Flagship case against Nawaz

ISLAMABAD: Following the extension of trial period of former premier Nawaz Sharif in the remaining two NAB cases, an accountability court here on Monday resumed hearing of the Flagship reference.

Judge Arshad Malik heard the case in Islamabad as Nawaz Sharif was in attendance in court.

Star prosecution witness Wajid Zia, who was head of the Joint Investigation Team that probed the Panama Papers case, started recording his statement in the case.

A copy of the Supreme Court judgment that directed the accountability court to complete trial of Sharif in the two cases within five weeks was presented to the judge.

The hearing of the case was adjourned till Tuesday (tomorrow).

Last week, the Supreme Court granted the accountability court five more weeks to complete trial against former premier Nawaz Sharif in the Al-Azizia and Flagship corruption cases.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, granted the sixth and last extension in trial period of Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris informed that statement of the accused under Section 342 CrPC is yet to be recorded in one of the two pending references. Whereas, deposition of star witness Wajid Zia has yet not been recorded in the other case.

Zia’s statement usually takes two weeks to complete, he added and pleaded the top court to extend the deadline for disposal of the NAB cases against his client until November 30.

The chief justice, while granting five week’s extension, said this is the last extension for the accountability judge to wind up the trial proceedings. If the matter is not decided within the deadline, the judge would be held responsible, he warned.