Nawaz Sharif’s bailable arrest warrant issued in two corruption references

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The accountability court has on Thursday issued bailabale arrest warrants of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in two corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The AC judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing of the references in the corruption cases against the Sharif family. During the proceedings, Khawaja Harris, counsel of the former prime minister prayed the court for exemption of his client from appearing in court due to his wife's illness. The NAB prosecutor said that Nawaz Sharif had to appear today as his earlier exemption period of 15 days was over and his arrest warrants should to produce him before the court. The court while accepting NAB prosecutor’s request issued bailable arrest warrant of the former premier in two corruption references of Aziza Steel Mills and Flagship Investment Ltd. The court later adjourned the hearing until November 3. Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and her husband Captain (r) Safdar had appeared before the accountability court (AC) in corruption reference filed by the National Accountability Court (NAB). Strict security arrangements were made in and around the Judicial Academy. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, ministers and large number of party workers and lawyers were also present at the Judicial Complex. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday (Wednesday) challenged before the Supreme Court the order of its registrar who had returned his petition seeking a declaration that the apex court’s direction to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the July 28 Panama Papers judgment for filing multiple corruption references against him was contrary to the law and facts. On October 19, the accountability court (AC) had indicted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (r) Safdar in Avenfield reference filed against Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and her husband Captain (r) Safdar appeared before the accountability court amid tight security. Previously, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed three cases of corruption and money laundering against Sharif, his family members and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the Islamabad Accountability Court following the verdict. The anti-graft body NAB had frozen the bank accounts and seized properties of Sharif and his family members to put pressure on them to appear before the court. The Sharifs have denied any wrongdoing and have labelled the corruption proceedings against them as politically motivated. Two of Nawaz’s sons are also due to appear before the NAB court, along with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Nawaz was disqualified by the Supreme Court in July for not declaring a source of income that he disputes receiving. Pakistan’s top court also ordered a wide-ranging NAB investigation and trial into Sharif family members. The Supreme Court specified that the trial be concluded within six months by NAB, which has in the past been derided as toothless because rich and powerful politicians were seldom convicted.