Lawyers, witnesses' absence cause adjournment of graft hearing against Sharifs
- By Web Desk -
- Nov 27, 2017
ISLAMABAD: The accountability court hearing in three corruption cases against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members adjourned proceedings until tomorrow due to absence of the lawyers and witnesses.
Former PM Sharif’s lead counsel and the prosecution witnesses were unable to ensure their presence at hearing owing to roadblocks and chaotic situation in the federal capital city in the backdrop of the botched operation in Islamabad to remove the participants of sit-in from the Faizabad Interchange.
Judge Muhammad Bashir adjourned the hearing before the proceedings could begin.
At last hearing on Nov 22, Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar arrived at Federal Judicial Complex to face trial in graft references filed against them by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in compliance with the Supreme Court orders.
As the trial proceedings resumed, the NAB prosecution team presented four more witnesses to testify against the Sharif family.
Judge Muhammad Bashir recorded the statements of Mohammad Rasheed, Mazhar Raza Khan Bangash, Shahbaz Haider Chaudhry and Tayyab in the Avenfiled flats reference. Subsequently, Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris cross-examined the witnesses.
Sharif’s daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar have been named in a single corruption reference pertaining to the Sharif family’s London properties. Whereas, Sharif and his two sons – Hassan and Hussain – have been nominated in three references related to the London flats, Al-Aziza Steel Mills and Hill Metals Establishment.