Supreme Court extends trial period of Sharifs

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for conclusion of the trial of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and members of his family on corruption charges until June 9.

The apex court allowed more time to the trial court on its request to decide three corruption references filed against the former premier, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired Captain Safdar by NAB.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, who is also monitoring the corruption trial, asked Special Prosecutor Akbar Tarrar to explain as to why the court had been unable to conclude the trial until now despite having been granted sufficient time.

He said every reference was being heard individually and that the Avenfield properties reference has been concluded.

Justice Azmat Saeed wondered why the court has delayed recording the statements of the accused persons under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), to which the prosecutor said the statements would be recorded on May 10.

On March 8, 2018, the top court extended by two months the deadline set for the trial court to decide the cases against the Sharif family.