Al-Azizia & Flagship references: Court to decide fate of Nawaz Sharif shortly

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik will announce verdict in the Al-Azizia and Flagship references today. The judge continued to write the judgment even on day off. Nawaz Sharif will listen to the verdict in court. Several PML-N leaders, including Mushahidullah, Talal Ch, Pervaiz Rashid, former governor Muhammad Zubair, MNA Saifullah Khokhar, have reached outside the court. However, no one, except lawyers, is allowed to enter the courtroom. Meanwhile, an armoured vehicle has been transported to the accountability court. A distance of 500 meters has been sealed completely. As many as 1,000 security personnel, including women, have been deployed in and outside the court. The Rangers have also been deployed to deal with the emergency situation. Only 15 people, including lawyers, will be allowed to enter courtroom. Security has been put on high alert across the city. On the order of the Supreme Court, the NAB had filed references against the Sharif family after the Panama scandal. He faces the charge of accumulating assets beyond income. In both references, as many as 183 hearings were held while Nawaz Sharif was exempted from hearing for 49 times. He appeared before court 130 times. The accused and the prosecution presented 22 and 16 witnesses respectively. In Al-Azizia reference, Nawaz Sharif replied to 152 questions while answered 140 questions in the Flagship reference. The Supreme Court extended the hearing period for eight times. It had ordered the Supreme Court to announce the verdict on December 24. Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris had sought 11 days for arguments. On December 19, the court had reserved the judgment until December 24.