Khawaja Haris, the counsel for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday concluded his arguments in the case pertaining to suspension of the Accountability Court's verdict against Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain Safdar (retd) in the Avenfield apartments reference. A division bench of Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb resumed the hearing of the petitions filed by the trio to suspend the Avenfield verdict of the Accountability Court.
After the Sharif's counsel concluded his arguments in the matter, Deputy Prosecutor General National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi sought time for providing 'para-wise comments' in line with the request of Khawaja Harris.
Abbasi requested the court to adjourn the hearing for two days so that he could furnish a reply as he did not receive a copy of the court's order on time. However, Justice Minallah, a member of the bench, declined his request, saying the hearing cannot be adjourned on these grounds.
To a question by Justice Minallah, the counsel for Sharif said that "NAB witnesses have agreed that there was no evidence against Nawaz." To this, NAB deputy prosecutor general said, "NAB has brought forth the record of known sources of income of Nawaz and his children."
Following the deputy prosecutor's statement, Justice Athar Minallah questioned how known sources of income were brought on record. "This is not a case of money laundering," he said. Responding to the judge, Abbasi said he would explain it to the judges. However, Justice Athar Minallah questioned, "What is the contradiction when the worth of assets is not known."
Haris informed the bench that prosecution's star witness and Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia presented a chart of assets. "We expressed reservations on JIT report which is on record and the chart presented by Zia," said Haris.
The Sharif family had petitioned against their convictions in the Avenfield reference. Nawaz had also filed a plea to transfer the Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment corruption references from the court of Judge Mohammad Bashir to another accountability court.
During the hearing, Justice Athar Minallah said that the registrar's office informed the judges that incorrect statements - attributed to judges - were aired after the hearing on August 13. "We have taken serious notice of this. We are also forwarding the matter to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)," said Justice Minallah.
Justice Minallah stated, "If judgments are given on one's wishes then there will be no justice." He also said, "We value the media, but those who are indulging in these acts are involved in contempt of court." Justice Minallah continued, "For a fair trial, it is essential to have trust in the legal system and if trials start taking place outside the court then that is contempt of court." The judge further said that they are under no pressure from anyone and would pass judgments based on law, regardless of the convict. The hearing of the case was adjourned till Thursday (today).
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