Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik hearing corruption cases against the Sharif family members Monday got annoyed over non-appearance of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before the court. At the start of hearing of the Flagship reference, Munawar Iqbal Duggal, an associate of lead counsel for Sharif, Khawaja Haris, submitted an application before the court seeking adjournment of the case for two days due to Haris' illness.
When the judge asked about Sharif, Duggal said that according to his information, the accused is on his way to appear before the court and requested the court to give him five minutes to confirm it. Upon his return, he again requested the court for more time to talk to his client. On this, the court warned to cancel Sharif's surety bond and issue his arrest warrants if he (Sharif) fails to appear before the bench.
The judge also asked about the associates of Haris who had submitted their attorneys before the court. On this Duggal said that they are Lahore-based and could not reach.
The judge observed, "We understand that Haris is ill but his associates who are present in the court on every hearing are also absent. If the associates of Haris were present here today (Monday) then we could start crossing-examination of witness Wajid Zia," he added.
Duggal told the court after 15 minutes that Sharif did not appear before it owing to some confusion. "He has contacted Sharif and he told me that he (Sharif) is leaving immediately from Lahore and if the court allows him, he will reach Islamabad within three hours," he said.
While opposing the defence counsel's request, Deputy Prosecutor General National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi said that the accused did not appear before the court without filing an exemption plea. He said that the defense counsel wants proceedings of the case according to his wishes. He requested the court to issue arrest warrant of Sharif for non-appearance before it.
The judge scolded associate of Haris but accepted his assurance regarding Nawaz's appearance on future hearings.
The court observed that the request could only be accepted as far as the Flagship reference is concerned and adjourned the hearing till October 04.
The court said that it will hear the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case on Tuesday (today).
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