Nawaz Sharif’s fate hangs in balance as court reserves verdict in corruption cases

ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court Wednesday reserved its judgment in graft references pertaining to Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia Steel Mills against Nawaz Sharif and decided to announce it on December 24, (Monday).The court reserved the judgment after the conclusion of cross questioning and answering session between defense and prosecution on certain points related to the case.The court also rejected the request of Nawaz’s lawyer Khawaja Haris to grant time to submit more documents.Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik resumed hearing on graft references filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Sharif family.The former prime minister also appeared before the court at judicial complex.During the session, NAB prosecutor Sardar Muzafar Abbasi pleaded before the trial court that the accused had submitted some documents in his favor which mean that he had also other relevant material that also could be presented.He said the joint investigation team (JIT) was not constituted to investigate any crime rather its responsibility was to find the answers of some questions raised by Supreme Court during hearing of Panama papers case.Earlier, Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris contended that his client never accepted the allegation for receiving salary from Capital FZE Company.The apex court had declared this non receiving salary as an asset, he maintained.The purpose of employment in the company was just to use it for UAE visa, he said.At this, the judge said if the court accepted the defense side’s stance on company’s employment then what was its connection with the graft reference.Haris said Nawaz was proved as only employee of Capital FZE not the owner of this company.The defense lawyer also requested the court to grant some time to present more documents in favor of his client that was turned down by the judge on the opposition of prosecution who stated that it was just an attempt to delay the case proceeding.The judge told the parties that any additional documents may be submitted in the court by Friday, December 21. Nawaz told the court that he hopes for justice and that no corruption could be proved against him.Thanking the party members and leaders for coming to the court with him, the former premier noted that it was his 78th court appearance in the case.On December 7, the Supreme Court had directed the accountability court to conclude the cases by December 24, after previously granting it seven extensions to wrap up the references initiated by NAB.

from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2PPOQMp