Pak court to indict Sharif on October 2
The accountability court hearing corruption cases against the Sharif family ordered on Tuesday that former premier Nawaz Sharif will be indicted on October 2.
Moreover, the court issued bailable arrest warrants for Nawaz’s daughter Maryam, sons Hussain and Hasan, and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar as they failed to appear in court today despite two earlier summons.
Earlier, as the hearing began, Judge Mohammad Bashir allowed the former prime minister to exit the court after marking his attendance so the proceedings could begin properly.
Nawaz and his family members had been summoned to the court with regards to three corruption references filed against them by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
A number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers, lawyers and government officials were at the courts compound to greet the former premier.
As the hearing began, the court directed Nawaz to record his attendance and leave so the commotion would settle down and proper proceedings could begin.
Nawaz’s political aide, Senator Asif Kirmani, informed the judge that he has fulfilled his duty of bringing Nawaz to the court, which the judge acknowledged.
Nawaz’s counsel, Khawaja Harris, represented Nawaz and his family, and was provided copies of the three references against his clients.
He also pleaded the court to exempt his client from personal appearance. However, the judge observed that the matter would be deliberated upon once Nawaz has been indicted.
Presenting his arguments, NAB prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbas informed the court that the security staff at Sharifs’ Jati Umra residence in Lahore refused to accept the summons for Hussain and Hasan Nawaz, stating that they reside outside the country.
The court then set October 2 as the date for the indictment of the former premier in all three references.
Moreover, the court issued bailable warrants for the arrest of Nawaz’s children and son-in-law to ensure their appearance at the next hearing.
After his appearance in court, Nawaz returned to Punjab House where he is holding consultative meetings with political and legal aides. He will then address a press conference at 3pm.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on the PML-N supremo. The two discussed the country’s political situation, according to sources.
Nawaz returned to Pakistan on Monday after spending over three weeks in London.
A number of PML-N leaders descended on Punjab House — where Nawaz is residing — early morning to see-off the former premier.
Sources said a number of party leaders and government officials were accompanying Nawaz as well in his 37-vehicle convoy, however, only the vehicle carrying Nawaz and his legal counsel were allowed inside the court complex.
Nawaz, his daughter Maryam, sons Hussain and Hasan, and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar had all been summoned by the accountability court.
However, only Nawaz appeared in person today as the rest are with his wife, Kulsoom, who is undergoing treatment for lymphoma in London. Geo News
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