ISLAMABAD: Accountability Court II resumed on Thursday the hearing of Al-Azizia corruption reference against the former premier Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz’s defence counselor, Khawaja Haris, commenced interrogation of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) witness Wajid Zia, who also headed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that investigated the Panama Papers case.
Accountability Court II Judge Arshad Malik chaired the hearing session.
Earlier, Nawaz had exempted from appearing before the court for today’s hearing as the incarcerated former PM meets close family members and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders in the jail on Thursdays.
The court had sentenced Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Capt (r) Safdar to jail in the Avenfield properties reference.
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The remaining cases pertain to Al-Azizia Steel Mills and the Hill Metal Establishment, and offshore companies including Flagship Investment Limited.
Nawaz was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs 1.3 billion) while Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs 335 million). Maryam’s husband, Capt (r) Safdar, was sentenced to one year in prison.
Nawaz and his sons Hussain and Hasan are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only.
