National News

ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT ONLINE ):An Accountability Court on Friday adjourned the hearing of references against Nawaz Sharif, his
daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (Retd) Muhammad Safdar till November 7.
The court decided to first re-hear the petition of defense, seeking to club all three
references in light of Islamabad High Court (IHC) 2-member bench decision.
The former prime minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before the accountability court
along with his legal team, daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (Retd)
Muhammad Safdar amidfoolproof security arrangements in place.
A number of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)’s leaders and workers had
gathered outside judicial complex.
AC Judge Muhammad Bashir took up the three references against Nawaz Sharif,
Maryam Nawaz and Captain (Retd) Muhammad Safdar for hearing, filed by the National
Accountability Bureau (NAB) in compliance of Supreme Court judgment, dated July 28,
in Panama papers case.
During hearing, Nawaz Sharif also submitted two surety bonds worth Rs five million
each on court directive to ensure his attendance on next hearing in Flagship Investment
and Azizia Steel Mills references. The former prime minister had already submitted a surety
bond worth Rs. five million in reference related to Avenfield property.
The counsel for the Sharif family Khawaja Harris filed a fresh petition with the court,
seeking to club three references.
Judge Muhammad Bashir said he would first view the IHC orders in this regard before
responding on the matter and suspended hearing of the case for 15 minutes as the court
has yet to receive the copy of judgment.
Even after half an hour, the court did not receive the IHC orders, suspending its
decision to separate the three references.
Khawja Harris requested the court to adjourn the hearing of the case as they need to
prepare their case in light of IHC detailed judgment regarding clubbing of three references.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing of cases till November 7, and also
suspended summons for two NAB witnesses until the decision on review petition.
It may be mentioned here that a 2-member bench on Thursday suspended the AC
decision for separate hearing of three references against Sharif family members and
directed the accountability court to re-hear the case.
The IHC asked the accountability court to provide a detailed order explaining the
legal grounds for not clubbing the three references.
The NAB had filed three references against Sharif family members on September 8,
this year in compliance of apex court orders. The former prime minister had been indicted
in two references related to Azizia Steel Mills and Avenfiled property.
Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (Retd) Safdar had been indicted only in one
reference related to the Avenfield property.