Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The accountability court hearing Al Azizia and Flagship references against deposed premier Nawaz Sharif reserved its verdict on Wednesday.

The judgement will be announced on December 24.

Defence counsel Khawaja Haris presented a rebuttal to statements made by the prosecution. The counsel for Nawaz also petitioned the court for additional time to submit some more documents, the court, however, rejected the request. The judge told the parties that any additional documents may be submitted in the court by Friday, December 21.

In the Al Azizia reference, 22 witnesses recorded their statements, while 16 recorded their statements in the Flagship reference. Former premier Nawaz decided not to offer any defence in both cases.

Haris, while presenting his final argument, told the judge that “Nawaz Sharif has never admitted that he received a salary from Capital FZE”, adding that his client’s position in the said company was “honourary”.

The Supreme Court (SC) extended the deadline for the eighth time earlier this month. The apex court also instructed the lower court to wrap up proceedings and announce the verdict by December 24. Throughout the course of the trial, the former premier has defended the accusation of being the real owner and beneficiary of offshore companies, which he claims belong to his sons Hasan and Hussain Nawaz.

Nawaz had maintained that the case against him was initiated on the basis of allegations levelled by his political rivals and the report of a joint investigation team (JIT) in Panama Papers case, which he said was biased.

Following the hearing, Nawaz had a brief chat with media representatives outside the court, during which he claimed that “not a penny of corruption was proven against me”.

Thanking the party members and leaders for coming to the court with him, the former premier noted that it was his 78th court appearance in the case. Recounting his government’s achievements, Nawaz said he served the public for 35 years – twice as chief minister and thrice as prime minister.

“I never misused my powers. I served the nation and the public with true dedication,” he said.

“[We] eliminated terrorism, inflation from the country, revived the economy, made Pakistan a nuclear power.”

Nawaz lamented that the cases were based on mere “speculation and rumours”. “Is this [what I deserve] for serving this country?” he questioned. The trial against the Sharif family commenced on September 14, 2017.

Nawaz and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only.

The two brothers, based abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings began last year and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.

Published in Daily Times, December 20^th2018.