Pakistan anti-graft court begins trial of Nawaz Sharif, his family in Panama Papers scandal | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Pakistan anti-graft court begins trial of Nawaz Sharif, his family in Panama Papers scandal

Press Trust of India, Islamabad | ByPress Trust of India
Nov 22, 2017 11:38 AM IST

Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members on Wednesday appeared before an anti-graft court here as trial resumed into the corruption cases filed against them in the high-profile Panama Papers

Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family members on Wednesday appeared before an anti-graft court here as trial resumed into the corruption cases filed against them in the high-profile Panama Papers scandal.

(FILES) This file photo taken on October 4, 2017 shows sacked Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif gesturing during the PML-N Workers convention in Lahore.(AFP)
(FILES) This file photo taken on October 4, 2017 shows sacked Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif gesturing during the PML-N Workers convention in Lahore.(AFP)

Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired captain Muhammad Safdar arrived at the court amidst heavy security arrangements made to deal with any untoward incident.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Sharif and his family members were welcomed by a number of senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML–N) party at the court.

Judge Muhammad Bashir started the proceeding which was still going on.

The court had last week accepted 67-year-old Sharif’s application for exemption from court hearings till November 27. However, Sharif appeared before the court today due to a change in his plans.

Three cases were registered by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Sharif and his family in the Accountability Court Islamabad.

The accountability court on November 8 rejected a plea by Sharif to club all three cases together.

Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Harris had argued that all three cases dealt with assets beyond means and allegations and most of the witnesses were same, therefore the references should be taken as one.

Last week, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar also dismissed Sharif’s in-chamber appeal to merge three cases filed by the NAB in the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif was indicted in all three cases while his daughter Maryam and her husband Safdar, co-accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted last month.

Sharif’s sons Hassan and Hussian are also co-accused in all three cases but have so far failed to appear in the court despite repeated summons, prompting the court to separate their case and initiate a process to declare them proclaimed offenders.

A five-member bench of the Supreme Court on July 28 had disqualified Sharif over his undeclared income. The apex court also directed the NAB to file cases against him, and his children in the accountability court and directed the trial court to decide the cases within six months.

The NAB had filed three cases on September 8 against Sharif and his family, and another case against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

The three cases against the Sharifs are related to the Flagship Investment Ltd, the Avenfield (London) properties and Jeddah-based Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment.

The political future of Sharif, who leads the country’s most powerful political family and the PML-N party, has been hanging in balance since his disqualification. If convicted, Sharif could be jailed.

Sharif’s family alleges that the cases are politically motivated.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On