Nawaz, Maryam appear before accountability court

ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Capt Safdar have arrived at the accountability court in connection with the hearing of corruption references filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Judge Muhammad Bashir will take up the Flagship and Avenfield properties references against the  members of Sharif family.

The court will record testimony of the investigation officer of the Avenfield case, after which he will be cross-examined by defence lawyers.

During previous hearing of the case, Maryam’s lawyer completed cross-examination of prosecution witness National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General-Operations Zahir Shah.

The witness submitted new documents about the Avenfield properties’ ownership, bills and tax record which he said were received in response to letters written to the UK authorities for mutual legal assistance (MLA).

Nawaz and his sons – Hussain and Hasan – have been named in all three 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 they were legally purchased.