Verdict in Sharif graft case today

Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Tuesday reserved verdict on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s petition seeking merger of Avenfield properties, Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Flagship Investments references filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against him.

The accountability court is expected to announce the verdict on Wednesday (today).

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Mohammed Safdar appeared before the court during which their counsel Khawaja Harris argued that all three cases were of same defence and their witnesses are also same, therefore, it was requested to club them.

The plea was abruptly opposed by NAB prosecutor after which the hearing was adjourned for a while and former PM was allowed to leave the court.

 On Friday, the court adjourned hearing of NAB references against the Sharif family after one hour without any proceeding. Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Mohammed Safdar also submitted two bonds worth `5 million in the court.

Later speaking to reporters, Nawaz Sharif said that he was being punished for eradicating terrorism and load shedding in the country. He continued that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is abusing him to make someone else happy. He asserted that Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) struggled for the freedom of judiciary.

The Supreme Court disqualified Sharif from office in July over unreported sources of annual income of about $10,000, a salary the former premier denies ever receiving. The high court also ordered the NAB to investigate and conduct a trial into the Sharif family’s wider finances, including the London properties.

Mr Sharif maintains control of the ruling PML-N, which elected close ally Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as prime minister after Sharif was disqualified.