Court likely to indict Sharifs today

The Asian Age.  | Shafqat Ali

World, Asia

The court has summoned list of 15 people each from the NAB, the accused and the journalists.

Ousted Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: A Pakistani accountability court is set to likely to indict the Sharif family on Thursday in corruption references filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammed Safdar will appear before the accountability court on Thursday for hearing of the NAB references against them, and it has been decided not to allow more than 50 persons to enter the courtroom.

The court has summoned list of 15 people each from the NAB, the accused and the journalists. The security officials will be allowed to go inside during the proceedings.

Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Mohammed Safdar were to be indicted on October 13, but the case was adjourned till October 19 due to the clash between Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) lawyers and security officers.

Meanwhile, the Accountability Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of assets case against federal finance minister Ishaq Dar till Monday without any proceedings.

Mr Dar’s lead counsel Khawaja Haris failed to appear before the NAB court on Wednesday hearing case regarding assets beyond known sources of income; hence, the hearing was adjourned without any headway.

NAB prosecutor requested the court to imprison the accused, adding thus, the lawyer will show up of his own accord.

The court was told that Khawaja Haris had to go abroad and he will return by next Wednesday.

Mr Dar also said that Khawaja Haris was a responsible man. However, NAB prosecutor said that the minister’s counsel was not committed with the case as he was not respecting the court.

Judge Muhammed Bashir remarked Khawaja Haris maintained a good past record, adding he should have informed the court before leaving for abroad.
 
The court again issued summons to both the witnesses – Masoodul Ghani and Abdul Rehman - and adjourned the hearing till October 23.

Read more...