ISLAMABAD: The accountability court conducting corruption proceedings against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by the accused for brief exemption from appearance.
Appearing in the court in connection with hearing into Avenfield properties case, Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz had submitted the request seeking exemption from appearing in the court for a week starting March 26. A medical report of Nawaz’s wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, was also attached along with the request.
Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris informed the court that Kulsoom Nawaz will be undergoing another session of chemotherapy and her doctors have advised Nawaz’s presence beside his wife. The request stated that Ali Aimal and Jahangir Jadoon will appear in place of Nawaz and Maryam respectively.
Opposing the request, prosecutor Afzal Qureshi argued that the suspects should not be allowed to leave the country as the trial was in final stages.
After reserving its decision earlier, the court announced its order dismissing the request.
Wajid Zia, a serving additional director of the Federal Investigation Agency who headed the joint investigation team which probed the Sharif family’s assets last year on the Supreme Court’s orders, meanwhile resumed recording his statement. He presented in court two letters from a Qatari royal family member related to the Sharif family’s businesses. The hearing was then adjourned until March 27.
Published in Daily Times, March 23rd 2018.
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