Accountability court expresses displeasure at absence of Shehbaz Sharif

LAHORE (92 News) – Accountability Court Judge Najamul Hassan, while hearing the Ashiyana Housing scandal, on Thursday expressed displeasure at the absence of Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif. The judge remarked that no excuse will be accepted on the next date and charges against the accused will be framed the same day. The court also reprimanded the accused Israr Saeed for being absent. Later, the hearing was adjourned till February 18. However, Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hasan Fawad were present, while Shehbaz Sharif was in Islamabad due to a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The NAB had arrested Shehbaz Sharif in connection with the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme case on October 5, 2018. The counsel for Sharif informed the court that his client had an issue with his backbone and his doctor had advised him against long journeys. To this, the court responded that why not summon this doctor and ask him about the report. The court added that according to the report Sharif was fine and it seems his health deteriorated lying in bed. The judge remarked that Shehbaz Sharif was supposed to be indicted in the case today, to which the lawyer replied that there was no such order. The judge informed Sharif’s counsel that his client would be indicted during the next hearing and there will be no excuses acceptable on his absence. The hearing of the case was adjourned will February 18.